Virtual Shadows: Your Privacy in the Information Society (Paperback)

In a relaxed, conversational style, Virtual Shadows emphasises the positive role of computers in children's lives, shows adults how to join in and gives practical advice about guarding against the threats to privacy from the trail we leave behind. --Terri Dowty, Director of ARCH (Action on Rights for Children)<br /><br />As an enthusiastic technology advocate, Karen Lawrence Öqvist has generated a unique and compelling view of engagement and privacy in the information age. --Professor Fred Piper, Information Security Group, Royal Holloway<br /><br />With Safer Internet Day on 10 February rightly focussing us on the importance of ensuring that our students are aware of the dangers and how to mitigate them this recently published book is an excellent addition to my desk. Karen Lawrence Öqvist is a security specialist for HP, and as such has not directly aimed this book at the education market which given the examples in it is a pity, and I'm glad I came across a copy. One finds in this easy to read book many case studies and examples of a wide range of personal security issues when using the internet, as well as many tips on how to avoid them. There are four sections to the book: The Online Information Society; Having Fun Safely Online; Children's Safety; and issues with National Safety. All are covered in succinct data and give plenty of good and not so good examples of how each can be abused, and some simple tips on how not to be. I found it useful in bringing together things that I do cover in my teaching but often have to look up separately to make sure I have useful pertinent facts. Here a lot is covered within the 200 pages, with plenty of UK and international examples. It is written in a style and manner that make it a useful book for sixth-form students (16 18 year olds) to read by themselves, as well as being one to pick out tit-bits as examples to share in the class at KS3 to KS5 level (11-18 year olds). --Computers in Classrooms - March 2008

This book is as suitable for a general audience as much as for information security or web professionals and is written in a very readalbe style. We are introduced to the concepts behind social networking and web 2.0 and their impact on our privacy and everyday lives. Good advice is given on maintaining some separation between work colleagues, online friends and limiting information available to different types of Facebook friend. --IT Training Magazine

'... a sobering discussion of recent trends in information gathering and usage which highlights both the potential risks and possible advantages in the amount of information being gathered and used by governments and private entities. In general the book is very readable and provides a balanced view of the issues. The discussions of how and why we willingly share our data and the way it gets used are well informed and interesting. --IT Now Magazine

Web 2.0 and social networking sites are challenging traditional notions of privacy and security in cyberspace, while surveillance and tracking in the real world have become endemic. As the gap between virtual and reality becomes increasingly blurred by current and emerging technologies, the way we communicate and interact with one another is changing beyond recognition. "Virtual Shadows" explains the major concepts in this brave new Information Society, and highlights issues of security and safety as key areas where the rules of play have not yet been clearly defined or understood.