Is email really private?

[RawDepth]

I seem to recall many years ago when I signed up for my email account, the TOS saying something about email privacy. It warned that email is not a secure way of transferring information and that it is always at risk of being intercepted by others. Basically they were trying to say that email is practically a "public" method of communication similar to using a CB radio. If you broadcast it, others may receive it.

I also frequently hear people ranting on and on about how loved ones, x-es, bosses, Government officials, colleges, and such should all be condemned or punished for illegally spying.

If this warning is in the TOS of many email accounts then how can people expect such privacy?

[DeenaEsq]

That is correct, unless you're encrypting your emails (which hardly anyone does) emails can be intercepted and read by third parties.

People, in my experience, often rant about things they think are unfair but that are not, in fact, illegal.

If you're using your boss's email system, they're entitled by law not only to check your email but to track what you're doing during your use of the computer. (Note: please don't surf porn at work!) This is the same situation for college students using the university's computers or computer network.

Under the Patriot Act, the government has nearly unlimited power to check your emails if they wish to do so.

As far as your loved ones and exes, well, that's entirely your fault for giving over your password and user name. If it bugs you, change them. Technically, these are the only ones that are legally problematic. That being said, no one's going to waste the time and money pursuing a claim like this.

The reason that people expect privacy is that they don't read things like terms and conditions. I promise you that any TOS worth it's salt allows the owner of the site to turn over any information requested by a government agency, under subpoena or other legal authority.

Sad, but true...

Deena
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Any opinions are offered without knowledge of the specific law of your jurisdiction and with only the limited information provided in your post. No advice given here should be reasonably relied upon by you or any third party without consulting an attorney who is aware of all of the facts and law surrounding your situation. Any advice given here is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship in any way.

[EmailRevealer]

It's really common for people in relationships to read eachothers emails. Also there are many key logger software programs readily available all over the internet.

[ewomack]

There is no absolute privacy on the internet. Don't expect any and use caution.

[C.Whyte]

Originally Posted by ewomack

There is no absolute privacy on the internet. Don't expect any and use caution.

Exactly. Most emails can be traced... same with IM's and other messaging systems. Anything important should generally be taken offline, BUT for the most part there aren't too many people hacking through your emails waiting for a CC# or something.

[Dirky47]

I don't think so... but for me... There's no privacy on the internet... LOL

[my_misyel]

One good suggestion is to change passwords every month or at least every 2 months. And always choose don't store password option when using mozilla browser.Nothing is secure when using the internet but make sure you avoid storing private datas like personal numbers, bank accounts, etc.

[arne@33]

if that is the case, i mean who can we trust? maybe we dont bother to use the computer anymore.

[RDAHOSTING]

if ur computer is secured I think its fine

[retrospector]

don't worry, the privacy policy is only used to show everyone that everyone should play "nicely"

It does not matter elsewhere.

[ScriptMan]

The most simple explation that I can share is:

Email is the same as a postcard. Don't write anything there you don't want the world to be able to read.

[Harveyj]

Or you could simply stop using websites to host your email and do it on your own private server, using software like Thunderbird or Outlook to handle and encrypt it, ensuring that you have also sent recipient the encryption keys.

Honestly, an hour of research on Wikipedia will bring you to most of the things you need if you actually read the whole article, including the REFERENCE sections.

In fact, between Google and Wikipedia, I'm constantly amazed that people still have to ask questions for anything tha isn't specialist knowledge.

[bogs]

some other free emails usually like that.. but if you have a paid email provider, it could be more secure..

[my_misyel]

Originally Posted by arne@33

if that is the case, i mean who can we trust? maybe we dont bother to use the computer anymore.

If you don't trust computers outside like in cafe rentals or like browsing internet @ the airport, you must doubled check if you have completely log out your account or simply clear the cookies in the browser before you leave.

[oo87]

I think you can use email without worrying about people looking over your shoulder and reading everything you say, but the TOS were right: there is no real privacy in email. But there is no real privacy on the internet.

You can find just about anything on anyone online, from work info, to home addresses, to phone numbers, to social security numbers. Putting personal info online is always a risk, and while businesses have gotten better at offering a certain amount of security against this, it doesn't help much.

I don't think there is a whole lot of worry for most people about the government nosing through your email. The Patriot Act give them permission, but not cause, and there are a lot of people in the US...they can't and wouldn't want to monitor all of them. You work has every right to spy on what you do on their servers, so just don't take care of personal business at work.

[atlantadentalcenter]

Generally I work under the view point that if the computer is connected to the Internet there is always a possibility that the content will get intercepted by someone so you should keep as much sensitive information off of it.

[asavantage]

In the name of fighting terrorism, and preventiong thing like 9/11, the government listens for key words on phone calls so I expect they have certain words they watch for on the internet. We will probably find out what they are doing today, in about 50 years. However, if your not doing anything illegal, so what. We don't want our civil servants falling to sleep on the job.

[MCSally]

just an insight... actually email is just like a mail (put in an envelope) meaning it can be touch by anybody if they like to.

[gggorosin22]

i do believe everything on the internet is somewhat possible to strip privacy, especially by hackers. If you think you have a data so top secret dont use the internet as a messenger tool to avoid data stealers.
Anyways, I only use email nowadays for website registration and confirmation.

[Ashley27]

I believe somewhat emails are secured for as long as you only log-in into personal computer and you have a good anti virus. BUT hackers do their best to get any personal files that you have in the Internet.