Almost 60 percent of polled Internet users don't believe it is possible to remain completely anonymous on the Web, according to a recent Pew Research Center study. More than 85 percent of those surveyed, in fact, have taken steps to remove or mask their digital footprints—such as clearing cookies, encrypting their email, not using their real names online, cloaking their IP addresses, and more. A majority of respondents also said they'd taken even more proactive steps in an attempt to avoid being targeted by hackers, advertisers, and other unwanted online attention.
"Asked whether they think current privacy laws provide reasonable protections for people's privacy in their online activities, 66 percent of all adults said the laws are 'not good enough,'" Pew said. About 24 percent said legal safeguards in place provide reasonable protection.
Even with fears of Big Brother breathing down our online necks, only 5 percent of those surveyed said they are trying to hide activities from the government; 4 percent said the same of law enforcement. Most Web users, in fact, are simply trying to protect themselves from criminals, marketers, and people from their past.
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