The right to privacy is considered one of the basic human rights and is protected by law in almost all countries. Privacy protection describes the ability to keep specific information privacy or restricted to a limited number of people. There are four different types of privacy protection: physical, virtual, third-party and legislation.
Physical types of protection include the use of locks, pass codes or other security tools to restrict access to data or property. These security methods are effective only if access to the key or code is restricted or difficult to obtain. Many people fail to follow the proper protocol required to maintain a high degree of privacy. The mistakes people sometimes make include giving other people the keys or access codes or labeling keys so that the corresponding locks are easily identifiable.
Virtual privacy protection refers to all activity conducted via a computer or over the Internet. The first layer of virtual protection is a firewall. This software is used to restrict access to the files stored on a computer to users within the network or to those who have authorization. The next layer of privacy protection is to apply security protocols to the Internet connection. Software programs to eliminate any viruses or malicious programs are designed to maintain a certain level of data security.
There are several well-known companies that specialize in privacy protection. The services of these companies usually are obtained by people in high-profile positions or celebrities. The specific tools used to provide the protection vary, depending on the specific areas of concern for each client. For example, a prominent business leader might require lawyers to ensure that private information is not published in the media. A celebrity may want health issues to remain private.
Most countries have legislation or laws that specifically address privacy rights. Companies or people who violate these laws can face a civil lawsuit for monetary damages. Over time, privacy laws changed to increase personal privacy protection so that it includes information technology and the use of data provided for a specific purpose.
Many companies collect or obtain personal information as part of a service or contract with the customer. The companies then sell this information to marketing companies or affiliated businesses without the customer's permission. This activity generates revenue for the business and exposes the customer to unsolicited sales activity. This aspect of protection has been an area of concern for many people.