Internet Service Providers Offer More Than Just Internet Access

Some Internet Service Providers have recently felt the pressure to ensure their customers are protected from certain Internet privacy risks. ISPs were basically selling their customers to the highest bidder by allowing advertising companies to run behavioral targeting campaigns on unsuspecting users. These companies were given access to customers’ surfing habits, which was being tracked and recorded, in order to improve their targeted advertising. The outrage came when users realized they could not opt-out and were being forced to cooperate. Customers were not given an opportunity to opt-out of the behavioral targeting campaign; instead of asking for participants or allowing users to decline, ISPs made slight changes to their privacy policies. Most of the ISPs have canceled the behavioral targeting campaign, but it is still important for a user to know what to expect of their Internet Provider.

Internet Service Providers are not inherently evil and often provide customers many features above and beyond a standard Internet connection. A good provider will give customers: free anti-virus, firewalls, parental controls, anti-spy ware, and a whole suite of Internet and computer security products. Some other features an ISP may offer includes: free e-mail accounts, blogs, and online data back-up. Also, most ISPs provide the hardware needed to connect to the Internet, including modems and, in some cases, a wireless router. These features do vary and the security suites do differ, but most ISPs will provide some extra protection. Customers should find an ideal provider that will provide them with, at the bare minimum, these listed features.

Regardless of how welcoming an ISP seems, they still maintain records of all their customers and store it in a database for future use. This is a potential security and privacy risk that has dire consequences and surfing with an anonymous proxy is highly recommended in any case. This database can be hacked or sold, leaving customers vulnerable to various dangers. The laws governing the Internet has many loopholes and these issues force upstanding citizens to live in fear of having their every move spied on.

Customers need to research their potential ISP and find out what other customers are saying about their services and how well-equipped they are to handle customers’ needs and potential complaints. Many ISPs regularly amend their privacy policy, which can have a dramatic effect on how they operate, so it is important to always read their privacy policy and find out how they use customers’ information. ISPs are required by law to keep records of online activities, but they should not hold the information indefinitely. ISPs should clearly define how they use customers’ information, who they allow to access it, and their data retention policies. Users should stay updated on any changes to the privacy policy. ISPs are required to disclose the changes they made to all their customers, but do not have to explicitly call or e-mail their customers. Instead, ISPs can post the information in an obscure link on their website, as a press release, or by changing their privacy policy.

An ISP should provide other services above and beyond a basic gateway to the Internet. Internet Service Providers are ultimately there to serve their customers, but sometimes do get caught up in scandals. ISPs regularly compete for new customers, as well as repeat customers, so customers do have options and should make an informed decision when choosing an ISP. Customers should always do their homework and be prepared to make an informed decision.