Privacy is something you must sacrifice to belong to a community. This may sound extreme, but the opposite view -- that privacy can never be sacrificed -- is causing hysteria lately, particularly where the Internet and personal computers are involved. The Clinton administration, in planning a massive program to protect government and other computer networks from cyber-terrorists, has been criticized for setting itself up as a governmental Peeping Tom. Meanwhile, computer giants Intel Corp. and Microsoft Corp. created a storm of protest when it was revealed that they had built user-identifying codes into the Pentium III microprocessor and the Windows 98 operating system, codes that could make e-commerce safer and protect against software piracy. The sensational Big Brother aspects of privacy stories such as these often are played up, which feeds paranoia. Survey after survey has shown how frightened people are of potential intrusions upon their finances, health information, and personal habits. In fairness, there is cause for some concern. Social Security numbers have been stolen and credit ratings ruined. But the remote possibility of identity theft and other severe privacy assaults shouldn't keep anyone from exchanging e-mail, checking out Web sites, buying and selling online, and otherwise using information technology to make life more productive and enjoyable. If you're the cautious type, there are steps you can take to ease any fears.
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