In this packet, I will address the problems of confidentiality on the Net by beginning to help you to secure your computer from access and or attack and showing you how to prevent the loss and or compromise of your information.  If you’re system is not secure, then you have neither privacy nor confidentiality.

 Security Issues

The issues of security and privacy on the Internet today are complex and in a constant state of change.  I will begin by looking at securing your computer on the net, then your browser and finally your email.  I will make recommendations to you in each of these areas.

 Personal Firewalls:  This is an absolute essential if you are to use the Internet today.  There are several software programs that are quite excellent and one is even free for individual use.  A firewall is a software program which intercepts incoming probes, inquiries, etc. and insures that your system is not inappropriately accessed.  In spite of you having one phone line hooked up to your computer (or network card sharing a modem), there are many “ports” which can be accessed by an incoming data stream.  To test your computer for it’s vulnerability, go to the following URL and select “Shields Up”. http://grc.com/default.htm This FREE examination will only take a few minutes and will let you know how vulnerable you are to hackers whom routinely run scans on all computers connected at any given time to an ISP of their choice.  IF you are online and you are not protected, your machine can be commandeered without your knowledge or hacked.

Once you have done this, you’ll likely want to immediately procure and install a firewall system on your computer.  However, before installing a firewall, be sure to read all about other things you can and should do to your computer to secure it: http://grc.com/su-fixit.htm

To get a complete understanding of the seven personal firewalls that are available and the pros and cons of each one, go to http://grc.com/su-firewalls.htm and read up on the subject.  Steve Gibson is forgotten more about computers and software than most people will even ever know; he is an absolute guru.  On his advice in fact, I have stopped using BlackIce Defender from NetworkIce and switched to the FREE version of Zone Alarm 2.0, which I strongly recommend as well.

You can find their web site at http://www.zonelabs.com/ and download the FREE firewall software now!

Email Security:

Once you have a firewall installed, the next consideration is email security.  While you can use a product like ZeroKnowledge’s Freedom.net to totally obscure your identity Online (http://www.zeroknowledge.com/), the contents of your mail packets are still vulnerable to “sniffing” or viewing.  And if, for example, you are running a supervision group via email or communicating via email with a client, your privacy and confidentiality unless you’ve encrypted the contents of your email.  By following the link below, you can explore the PGP product for both Windows and MacIntosh machines.

http://www.pgp.com/products/dtop-security/default-encryption.asp

Also, they are now offering a PGP Desktop Security 7.0 program, which addresses all of your security needs in addition to email encryption.

 Of course there are other products out on the Net to do similar jobs, but I believe that these are the very best available and the price is reasonable.

Browser Security:

Your browser can be completely secured using a paid product like the ZeroKnowledge, Freedom.net software; however, there are other ways to maintain your anonymous status on the Net and that is by using a buffer program like can be found at http://www.anonymizer.com/splash.shtml

Using your favorite browser, you can engage this FREE software with your browser and cruise around on the Net without being seen.  It’s FREE, but it’s slow.  But, any program and or hardware tool that prevents you from being identified will take a few moments longer per site.  This site also offers a paid membership (premium account) to use a much faster version of the software which also provides:

                     NO BANNER ADS in the control bar

                     NO DELAY in loading pages

                     URL Encryption™

                     Safe Cookies™

                     NO filesize limit (Free users limited to 10 megs)

                     NO ban on streaming video

                     Access to our anonymous mailer

Also, if you have a DSL connection or cable modem, it will be an almost imperceptible delay.

Confidentiality Issues

Electronic Billing:

If you decide to choose a billing program, which offers the option to perform electronic billing, which I don’t recommend in general, then you must be certain to use a service, which doesn’t make a connection through the Internet.  If must be a dial up service using secure phone lines to be certain that patient information is not compromised.  And yes, even if they claim to use the latest in encryption technology and a secure sockets layered connection, it’s not good enough.

eTherapy:

This is one of the greatest areas of exposure for any therapist who might consider providing their professional services Online.  A service like the ones mentioned in the eTherapy Packet, has a physical server (computer) located generally at a singular location, which contains databases, schedules, email, etc. that must be secure in order to provide confidence and trust.  Any company that you consider joining to become a service provider MUST run all operations, which involve client information on a secured server.  If this is not the case, you don’t want to have anything to do with them.

Further, you need to carefully consider the privacy policy of the organization, insuring that they do not exchange, sell, etc. information, no matter how general to anyone.