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Although the Federal Communication Commission’s implementation of Net Neutrality has earned a largely positive response, some were concerned that the move could cause Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to reduce their infrastructure spending. For Americans still waiting for their chance for broadband access, that’s bad news.

Is the FCC to blame?

On September 9, FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai spoke at an American Enterprise Institute discussion regarding broadband infrastructure investment. According to Pai, ISP infrastructure spending fell 12 percent in the first half of 2015 compared to the first half of 2014. And Pai blames the reduction in spending directly on Net Neutrality, “It’s the FCC’s decision to capitulate to the President’s demands and impose Title II public utility regulation upon the Internet that is playing a large role.”

Why would an FCC commissioner criticize FCC policy? A five-member commission leads the FCC, and when the organization passed its Net Neutrality policy, it did so by a 3-2 vote. Pai was one of the two commissioners who voted against the measure, so his stance isn’t a reversal: he’s been against Net Neutrality from the beginning and warned of consequences including less innovation and more cost for consumers.

Pai isn’t the only person in a position of power within the government who feels this way. During a hearing titled “Common Carrier Regulation of the Internet: Investment Impacts,” , chair of the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, expressed his concerns that, though ISPs may continue to invest in broadband improvements, that investment may plateau or decline over time.

Is spending bouncing back?

Some evidence suggests that infrastructure spending may be increasing, not decreasing. Time Warner Cable spent an additional 10.1 percent on infrastructure from the third quarter of 2014 to the third quarter of 2015, and AT&T’s spending was also up slightly.

Is it just politics?

It’s worth noting that FCC Commissioner Pai and Congressman Walden are Republicans, and Net Neutrality is largely popular among Democrats, including President Obama. This political divide doesn’t automatically make one side right and one side wrong, but it does explain some of the disagreement.

Is it possible that both sets of numbers are correct, and that spending was down for the first half of the year, but up overall after three quarters? Sure. If so, it may be because the FCC voted for Net Neutrality in February, but the rules didn’t go into effect until the end of June. The industry could have been watching and waiting, as AT&T said it would, to see how Net Neutrality played out before committing a significant amount of money to its infrastructure.

But as Congressman Walden pointed out, ISPs aren’t going to stop investing in infrastructure entirely. The only question is whether they would have spent even more in the absence of a Net Neutrality policy.

How’s your broadband infrastructure?

America’s broadband infrastructure as a whole is important to everyone, but what should matter most to you is what it looks like in your area. The best way to see the whole picture is to enter your ZIP code below to compare the speeds and prices of the plans available in your area. You may be able to find a faster plan, even if your overall investment in broadband goes down.

Internet access is crucial to modern life, but finding the right service can be complicated and confusing. There are lots of different options to choose from, each with their own pros and cons.

While there is no perfect internet plan for everyone, there are options to meet the needs of every lifestyle and every kind of user. To find the best option in your area, check out this side-by-side comparison of two popular types of internet: DSL and fiber.

Network Overview

The fundamentals of data transmission are the same for both internet types: information is sent back and forth between the user and the Internet Service Provider (ISP) via a network of wires. However, the type of wires carrying the data and the way signals get transmitted differ from service to service.

DSL

DSL stands for “Digital Subscriber Line,” which essentially means that the service uses copper phone lines to transmit electronic data between your computer and the wider internet.

There are two variants of DSL: ADSL (asymmetric) and SDSL (symmetric). ADSL — the most common connection type for residential setups — allows you to use your telephone line for both landline calls and internet access, while SDSL uses the whole connection for Internet access, resulting in faster upload speeds at the expense of voice services.

It is worth noting that DSL’s electronic signals can degrade as they travel, meaning that service quality may be affected by the distance between the ISP’s hub and the user-end termination point. Further, any electromagnetic interference or damage to phone line infrastructure may cause interruptions in the connection.

Fiber

Fiber-optic internet is currently one of the most advanced internet services available in the United States. Instead of using copper cables to transmit data, fiber-optic cables are made up of ultra-thin glass or plastic strands that carry light instead of electricity. These light pulses transmit messages between your computer and the rest of the world.

Because light can travel quickly through fiber-optic cables, fiber networks can carry substantial amounts of data over long distances without any service degradation. Additionally, because light signals are less affected by power surges, fiber connections don’t generally suffer from interference during electrical events.

Equipment Setup

Many people tend to assume that all in-home internet arrangements use the same equipment, regardless of connection type. However, because DSL delivers data via electronic signals while fiber makes use of light waves, the two connections actually require drastically different equipment setups and installation processes.

DSL

DSL follows the model that most internet users are used to: a modem/router combination that transmits and broadcasts internet for both wired and wireless connections throughout the home. Further, because DSL has been around for so long, there are plenty of equipment options, ranging from standard ISP-provided devices to high-end customizable setups. And while it may be more convenient to use the equipment that comes with your service contract, you can save a few dollars each month by buying your own modem or router instead of renting one from your provider.

When it comes to installation, most DSL connections run through already-placed telephone lines, meaning that the service is easy to install and likely won’t require professional help. In fact, many DSL ISPs even supply simple self-installation kits. If you’re hesitant to install your own service, or you have a unique wiring situation in your home, you can also opt for a professional installation — though you may be charged an additional fee.

Fiber

Fiber-optic internet connections do use routers, but that’s where the similarities with DSL end. Because data is delivered via light, traditional modems won’t work with fiber internet. Instead, you’ll need to use a more complex setup — including an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) — to convert the light signals into usable digital data.

Because fiber technology is still young, there aren’t many third-party equipment options, so you’ll have to rely on your fiber ISP to supply you with most of the equipment you need. If you do opt to use your own router, you’ll need to verify that it can handle the speed capacity that your fiber plan advertises.

Due to the more complex installation process, fiber internet is typically set up by a professional. Self-install kits are rare, and they are usually only available for homes that have previously had fiber installed.

Connection Speeds

There are few things more frustrating than slow internet speeds — from start-and-stop video streams to choppy Skype calls, download speed makes a huge difference in the way you use the internet. Fortunately, DSL and fiber internet each provide a wide range of speed tiers for different types of users.

DSL

Residential DSL services don’t necessarily have the fastest speeds on the market, but most plans offer enough bandwidth for basic Internet usage. Advertised download speeds usually range from 1 Mbps to 20 Mbps, while upload speeds rarely get above 1 Mbps.

As with most internet connections, you likely won’t receive advertised speeds all the time — several different factors can affect the quality of your connection. For example, because DSL service quality deteriorates over long distances, internet speeds may differ if your home is located far from your provider’s exchange point. DSL is also susceptible to traffic-based slowing during peak usage times, so streaming Netflix on a weekday evening may prove challenging.

Fiber

Fiber-optic internet is the fastest, most reliable Internet available in the United States. Speeds generally stay fairly stable, regardless of regional traffic or distance from the ISP. Additionally, most fiber internet providers boast equal upload and download speeds, and some top-tier fiber plans can range over 1 Gbps.

Those high speeds translate into a lot of connectivity potential — families can stream HD video on multiple devices at once, make seamless video-calls, and play online games without any stuttering or slow buffering. Heavy uploaders also benefit from fiber-optic internet’s equal uploading capacity, and Cloud storage and video uploading are much more effective than they would be on a slower connection.

Area availability

Not all providers have access to the same networks. Some regions have limited internet access in general, while others have one or two dominant providers that bear the Internet load of the entire area. As a result of these varied infrastructures, your Internet service options may vary quite a bit.

DSL

DSL is available to roughly 88 percent of the United States, making it one of the most common types of internet available. As DSL connections utilize phone lines to transmit data, most houses will already have the wiring installed and ready to go.

Additionally, because DSL has been around for such a long time, there are a decent number of providers who offer Internet services. Unless you live in a very rural location with little infrastructure, you should be able to get some level of DSL connectivity in your home.

Fiber

Laying down fiber-optic cables can be prohibitively expensive for many ISPs, so only a small portion of the United States currently has access to fiber internet. However, as more users demand faster speeds, fiber technology is starting to gain momentum. So while the United States may still be a far cry from fiber-savvy countries like South Korea, the overwhelmingly positive response toward fiber internet will surely speed up technological advancement in the coming years.

Monthly costs

While download speeds and availability are important, price is generally the most important aspect of an internet plan. Though total costs will ultimately vary depending on your location and plan, certain service types — usually the more high-tech or faster options — do tend to cost more than others.

DSL

Because DSL tends to be slower than other types of Internet, it also tends to be cheaper — there are several affordable plans that cost less than $50 per month. Compared to cable and fiber internet, DSL is a great budget option.

If you’re looking for even more affordable services, don’t forget to look at bundled packages. Combining your Internet service with a landline phone plan, for example, can also net you some extra savings.

Fiber

Because fiber uses cutting-edge home internet technology, it is one of the more expensive ways of getting online. If you’re looking for gigabit speeds, for instance, you should expect to pay around $100 or more per month, depending on your provider.

Some fiber providers also offer TV or voice services, so it’s worth checking out the bundles available in your area.

The take-away

There’s no objective answer as to which connection type is better than the other — everything boils down to your connectivity needs. If you have a lot of devices connected to the internet, or if you do a lot of bandwidth-heavy processes at home, fiber-optic internet will likely be worth the money. Those who prefer a low-budget option with wide availability and basic functionality will likely prefer a DSL plan.

Whatever your preferences are, you deserve to have an Internet plan that caters to your specific usage patterns. Determine the speed you want and take a look at what’s available in your neighborhood.

It’s great to have choices; but the more options you have, the more difficult it can be to make a decision. When it comes to the internet, especially, the wide variety of service types and providers can make it hard to know if one kind of connection is better than another.

Whether you’re getting internet service for your home or your business, you need a connection that’s fast, reliable, and affordable. To help you make the best internet choice for your unique needs, we’re breaking down two of the most popular types of internet: cable and fiber-optic.

Connection basics

Unlike dial-up connections, cable and fiber internet are both considered “always on” services, meaning that there’s a constant open link to the provider’s service hub. That’s where the similarities end, though, as the network makeups differ significantly between the two connection types.

Cable

Cable internet is offered through coaxial cable networks, just like cable TV services. Subscribers can usually choose between purchasing cable internet as a stand-alone product or bundling it with other services, including TV, phone, and even security monitoring, from the same company.

Additionally, cable internet connections are shared among all subscribers within a specified service area — there’s very rarely a designated connection. This can make for some congestion during high-use periods.

Fiber

Fiber internet uses fiber-optic cables to deliver internet data. Information is carried via modulated light along a thin glass strand. Each of these lightweight fibers can be as small as a single human hair, and they’re able to deliver digital information over extremely long distances.

Most fiber connections, regardless of whether they terminate at a node in the neighborhood or directly in your home, see significantly less traffic-caused slowing during busy times of day. If you live in a particularly crowded area, fiber will likely be more consistent.

Equipment and installation

Both cable and fiber connections rely on a network of wires or fibers to deliver data between subscribers and providers. But the in-home equipment used to transmit that data — and the installation process for that equipment — varies quite a bit.

Cable

Cable internet requires a modem that subscribers can lease from the internet Service Provider (ISP) or purchase on their own. Most cable internet comes with specific requirements for modems, so consumers should check for compatibility before buying their own device. The same goes for routers.

In terms of installation, cable customers may have the option to set up their own connection using a self-installation kit provided by the cable company. If a house or apartment hasn’t had cable before, however, the cable company will probably need to set up a time to have the cable line run and installed by a professional. In general, cable installations are usually pretty straightforward and shouldn’t require a large investment of either time or money. Some providers even offer discounts on installation for new customers.

Fiber

Fiber connections also require a modem of sorts, but instead of translating electric signals into readable computer data as a traditional modem does, a fiber modem works to translate light signals into readable information. Because fiber technology is newer and more complex than cable technology, your provider will likely require you to rent or purchase a service-specific modem with your fiber plan.

When it comes to installation, most fiber internet connections are set up by a professional. Some companies do offer self-installation options, but it may impact the terms of the service contract. If a new fiber connection doesn’t need to be installed, the setup should be fairly simple. However, if there’s no existing infrastructure at your home or business, it can take up to several weeks for the provider to run lines and install the necessary wiring.

Download speeds and usage

When it comes to an internet connection, speed is usually a top priority. Depending on how many people and devices are using internet connection, fast speeds can be a necessity. Fortunately, both cable and fiber connections offer download speeds that are fast enough to accommodate the internet needs of an average household or small business.

Cable

Cable internet providers offer speeds that range from 20 Mbps to 250 Mbps. Those speeds are fast enough to keep an average home of casual internet users online around the clock. However, a household of four that wants to be able to surf the internet, update social media, stream videos, and play online games all at once should look for packages at the higher end of those speeds.

Fiber

Even though cable internet is fast, fiber is usually faster. Users can get download speeds ranging from 150 to 1000 Mbps from fiber-optic internet. Upload speeds are faster too — usually 65 to 100 Mbps. With speeds that fast, you could stream HD content in multiple rooms at the same time, including online games and movies.

Availability and provider options

It might seem like the internet is everywhere, but that’s not actually the case. There are still areas across the country with limited access to internet providers and connections. Depending on where you’re located — i.e., if a given service isn’t available in your area — limited accessibility may eliminate one service option entirely.

Cable

Fortunately, cable internet is one of the most widely accessible internet options. If your home or business can receive cable TV, you can probably also access cable internet. You may be somewhat limited in terms of which providers actually offer services to your residence or business, as the current cable industry has effectively drawn up turf boundaries from area to area. Despite this lack of options, though, as long as you live in a populated, non-rural locale, you’ll likely be able to find a plan that meets your basic connectivity needs.

Fiber

Fiber is becoming more prevalent, but it isn’t currently available in as many places as cable. Because fiber internet requires the installation of fiber-optic cables, its reach will remain limited until new lines are put in. Luckily, many more providers are exploring fiber offerings as demand for fast speeds grows. Before setting your heart on fiber internet, though, be sure to find out if fiber-optic internet is available in your area.

Safety and reliability

Both cable and fiber internet options provide more reliability than other options out there — satellite internet can be fickle about equipment angle, and dial-up connections aren’t functional unless there’s an accessible phone line. However, there are some small differences in terms of overall safety and reliability between the two service types.

Cable

In general, cable internet service is considered highly reliable. Just like with cable television, sometimes there are outages due to technical problems or weather interference, but issues are fairly limited. Because of the possibility of an outage, businesses that rely on their internet connection to operate should have a backup in place just in case. Additionally, there is some risk of surges during electrical storms, as coaxial cable is a good electrical conductor.

Fiber

Fiber internet is just as reliable as cable, with one distinct difference: Fiber-optic internet is a passive system, which means it doesn’t operate using electric signals. That means that outages are less likely. In addition, because the conductor is glass, it doesn’t generate electricity. Thus, fiber is less vulnerable to interference from high-voltage power lines or equipment, and subscribers can enjoy an added layer of protection against damage from power surges.

Price and bundling

No matter what bells and whistles an internet plan promises, money is often the ultimate deciding factor when it comes time to pick a package. Shrewd homeowners and business managers need to provide the best internet connection without blowing the budget out of the water. While pricing for both cable and fiber internet varies based on location and the plan selected, there are some general distinctions you can expect.

Cable

Most homes and businesses can find cable internet packages ranging from around $20 to as much as $100, depending on the speeds and any other promotions or offers. As you’re looking at prices, don’t forget to find out about installation fees, as those can add to your upfront costs. Equipment rentals — including modems, routers, and set-top boxes, where applicable — can also run the monthly payment up. Faster speeds tend to cost more, and contract lengths can make a difference as well.

In general, cable is usually an affordable option that can meet the requirements of nearly any budget, but consumers can save even more depending on if their selected plan is bundled with TV or phone packages. Bundles usually end up saving money, so they’re worth looking into.

Fiber

Because faster speeds means a bigger bill, it’s no surprise that fiber-optic internet — with its higher speed capacities — is usually more expensive than cable. Most fiber internet plans start around $50, though some stand-alone fiber internet plans can top out over $100 per month. In addition, fiber Internet usually requires extensive installation, which adds to the overall price you’ll pay.

Fiber internet providers also offer contracts and introductory specials and discounts for customers. It may be worthwhile to commit to a two-year contract if it keeps your monthly bill from increasing. In addition, look for promotions that may reduce or completely eliminate the installation and activation fees. Bundles, though often less extensive than cable bundling options, do exist and can help cut costs further.

After weighing the benefits and drawbacks of both options, it’s time to make a decision. Determine what’s most important to you, figure out what kinds of speeds make sense for your household or business, and start shopping for providers in your area today. 

Find providers in your area: 

Everyone loves a great deal, especially when it comes to monthly services. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) understand this principle, which is why many of them offer free equipment or other perks when you sign up for service. If you’re not sure what perks your current ISP offers, or if you’re shopping for a new ISP altogether, this guide will help you figure out which provider is offering a deal that you simply can’t refuse.

XFINITY

You’re probably familiar with some basic XFINITY® offerings, including fast speeds and a rapidly expanding service area, but what you may not know is that every XFINITY customer also has access to an additional service called Internet on the Go. With Internet on the Go, subscribers have free access to over 8 million hotspots nationwide. This extensive coverage, paired with the XFINITY Connect™ app, makes it easy to keep track of appointments and check email away from home.

Another perk is Constant Guard^® by XFINITY. All XFINITY Internet customers receive basic online security protection via the Norton™ Security Suite, which provides protection against viruses and spyware. The company also makes it easy to add upgrades to regular monthly bills.

Charter Spectrum

Charter Spectrum is one of the only ISPs that provides customers with a free modem across most plan offerings — including bundles. This helps reduce overall monthly costs, as it saves users from paying a rental fee for this necessary equipment.

Another feature that Charter Spectrum offers is month-to-month service. Customers can enjoy reliable, fast Internet without being tied down to a contract. This gives users flexibility and freedom to choose the Internet plan that makes the most sense for them, even if their needs change. In fact, Charter Spectrum is so committed to abolishing contracts that certain new customers may qualify for up to a $500 buyout to help them get out of a current contract with another provider.

CenturyLink

All CenturyLink Internet plans include basic protection from CenturyLink @Ease® online security by Norton™. Customers can adjust their level of security coverage and take advantage of the peace of mind that comes with Identity Guard for an additional monthly fee. The company also offers a 30-day Satisfaction Guarantee for new Internet customers, a policy that ensures any user who is not satisfied with their CenturyLink service can cancel within 30 days and receive a credit for all Internet service charges, modem or router charges, shipping fees, activation fees, and any other applicable taxes or other surcharges.

As an added bonus, subscribers can avoid installation fees by opting for CenturyLink’s self-installation kit, which includes everything necessary to get an Internet connection up and running. Plus, customers who order a CenturyLink bundle online may qualify for a prepaid Visa card worth up to $150. The company also offers prepaid Visa cards for customers who refer friends and family members to CenturyLink.

Cox

Subscribers enjoy a variety of free services with their Cox High Speed Internet™ plan. The company starts things on the right foot by waiving installation fees, but it doesn’t stop there. Cox gives customers a free Cox email account with Cloud storage, which is protected by free security through the Cox Security Suite powered by McAfee®. The Security Suite also provides antivirus protection and an online app that customers can use to check the security of their home wireless network.

Additionally, Cox gives High Speed Internet subscribers access to Music Choice, a portal that offers a wide selection of music channels, videos, and original programming. Customers can listen to more than 50 pre-made channels or create their own music channels and video playlists.

Windstream

Windstream offers its subscribers the ability to sign up for High Speed Internet without the hassle of a long-term contract. Very few other ISPs provide such a winning combination of flexibility and security.

Windstream’s solid plan offerings are backed up by an extensive 24/7 help network. In addition to a large library of online support resources, Windstream also provides real-time assistance via their virtual agent, Wendy. Customers can chat live with Wendy, email questions to support, or call the help line directly at any time, day or night.

AT&T

AT&T internet plans include up to 11 email accounts and 2 GB of secure online storage. In addition, AT&T customers have access to AT&T’s extensive network of public Wi-Fi hotspots across the country and internationally. Users can consult the company’s Wi-Fi location map to find hotspots, whether they are close to home or on vacation. This allows customers consistent access to their Internet service and other network resources.

AT&T also offers one particular benefit that most other ISPs don’t: a battery backup. This device will keep customers’ Internet services up and running, even if the power goes out. The backup only extends power for a few hours, but that can be the difference between saving a current project and losing hours of work. For customers who live in areas where severe weather often affects power, this perk could be a lifesaver.

In addition to all of these great perks, several of the above listed companies offer further discounts for subscribers with limited financial means. So no matter what your situation, if you need Internet service, there are ISPs that can provide the benefits you want. Now that you know the kinds of perks that are out there, it’s time to stop browsing and start shopping. Check out providers in your area today.

The Internet makes it simple to stay in touch with relatives, no matter where they live. You can Skype with cousins across the country on a daily basis or get Facebook updates about every aspect of your grandma’s life. But has this constant connectivity had an impact on the way we interact with our families?

Parents Lack Self-Control

Parents and social media can sometimes be a terrible combination. The rise of “sharenting” involves parents documenting the lives of their children on sites like Facebook. A recent study showed this could lead to complications. Parents are inadvertently creating digital identities for their children before the kids ever get on a computer.

The study reports that 70 percent of parents say they get advice from other parents online. In particular, the study cited instances of parents divulging their children’s behavioral issues online. It claims this leads to embarrassment for the kids when they get older, as other children access this information and use it for bullying.

In the case of younger children, some parents have resorted to “shaming” their children online to get them to listen, which many psychologists see as damaging to kids’ self-esteem and family relationships.

Loss of Trust

At least one study has shown that mobile devices and Internet connectivity has led to a loss of trust and intimacy. The lack of face-to-face interaction causes family and friends to lose their sense of empathy. While many people might see kids today as too engulfed in their mobile devices, many children claim their parents are the one spending too much time on them.

Children in the study claimed they felt their parents were no longer interested in paying attention to them. Forty-eight percent of people say they feel ignored due to another family member’s constant Internet use. Ninety-two percent said they felt ignored due to family members spending too much time on a mobile device.

They see a lack of empathy from their parents. The same study claims the lack of interpersonal connection and interaction makes kids feel intimidated when trying to talk to their parents and other adults.

Conversely, one study found that teen are now more “hyper connected” to their parents than ever before. Researchers found children were contacting their parents at least 13 times a week through Internet-capable technology.

Research indicated parents are buying their children cell phones at early ages to keep in touch with them. Some even go so far as to track their kids with GPS.

Blurred Boundaries Between Work and Home

Polls have indicated 41 percent of employed individuals are required to maintain contact with work outside of the office. Another 56 percent have done work while on vacation with the family. The Internet has blurred the boundaries between work and home life, sometimes affecting relationships between family members.

With constant access to email people often feel obligated to be on-call, limiting the time we have to bond with our families. It’s not unusual to see mom or dad whip out the cellphone in between scooping up spaghetti these days.

One study showed 45 percent of participants felt Internet access greatly increased their contact with family members. On the other hand, 51 percent it had no effect on their contact with family at all.

Of course, the Internet isn’t perfect and how we react to it will differ from family to family. For some, it’s a tool that has allowed us to become closer to our relatives while, for others, it’s only driven them further apart. The Internet makes communication between family members easier than ever, as long as that communication is happening online it would seem.

Everyone talks about the importance of online privacy, and savvy surfers know how to manage their personal data. But how much can you really tell about what information you’re sending when you search — and who is able to see that information?

There are only two ways that your search history can be uniquely identified: by your IP address or by an online identity — actual accounts, such as profiles on Google, Apple, Amazon, eBay and Facebook, but also more limited identities such as message board profiles and simple repeated visits to a website. Through the use of cookies, the basic info of your IP address can be combined with more personal data to add a certain amount of uniqueness and depth to your browsing and search history.

Browser History

Browsers collect information in two separate ways, loosely separated into online and offline history. Your browser maintains an ongoing history of sites that you visit, as well as recording any other IPs that are connecting to you while you search. Visiting any single web page may involve connecting to multiple IP addresses for images, video, advertisements and background processes (such as Java and Flash). For simplicity’s sake, your browser history will display only the page that you visited (the address in your browser’s address bar), but also record all of those “hidden” IP addresses as well.

This browsing history is saved offline, accessible only by someone with access to your device. However, your browsing history may also be saved online in various ways. Every IP connection is saved in one or more server logs, and all visits to a given website may be stored anonymously on a server database. That’s essentially how Google (or any other search provider) ranks the popularity of sites to provide more useful results — the more unique IPs that are recorded, the more popular the website is. Additionally, your browser history may be saved online if it is linked to an online account, such as using Chrome with a Google Account, or Safari with an Apple ID.

HTTP headers and server logs

All browsing history is technically “recorded” in the sense that server logs exist for all Internet communications. Whenever you visit a website, a “note” is made of the connection between your IP address and the IP address of the site, as well as the date and time of the connection. Depending on how verbose the header is, this “note” may also include browser and operating system information (as well as screen resolution and color depth — helpful info that allows the sites you visit to display their web pages properly on your browser). This is known as the “user agent string” and is part of the HTTP header that is sent and received with every Internet communication.

Who can see this info? Technically, anyone — any website that you visit, and any servers along the way. It’s the 21st Century version of Caller ID — anybody can see the number that you’re “calling from,” and that number may provide general identification and location information. Your phone number may be recorded by anyone that you call, but they have to let you know if they’re recording the content of the call (e.g., “for quality purposes”). Likewise, any website or online service that collects information beyond the basic HTTP header strings will only do so with your consent.

Consent and confidentiality

When you use an application or online service that collects information, you are bound by the Terms of Service or EULA (End-User Licensing Agreement). EULAs involve explicit permission, such as clicking the “I agree” button at the bottom of a pop-up or installation dialog. When you install an app on your phone or tablet, you’ll be presented with the specific kinds of information that you’re allowing the app to access. This can go far beyond the simple HTTP header info, so it’s always in your best interest to read the EULA before agreeing.

On the other hand, it would be far too cumbersome to have to agree to a EULA every time you visit a website or use an online service. Most if not all websites operate with Terms of Service, a statement of the rights and responsibilities of both the site operators and visitors. In certain circumstances, navigating to a site may bring up a consent pop-up (typically to verify that the visitor is of legal age to view the content). More commonly, however, agreement to the Terms of Service is implied simply by your continued use of the product. For example, any time you do a Google Search, you are tacitly agreeing to Google’s Terms of Service and the “What We Collect” portion of Google’s Privacy Policy.

Google is able to provide Search for free by selling the data that it collects. This is the model for virtually every “free” online service — you agree to “pay” with specific kinds of data. In the case of Google Search, the basic data that you provide is your IP address and the search queries that are sent from that address. Google’s Terms of Service allow the company to provide that information to advertisers, who can then deliver increasingly appropriate ads via Google products accessed by your IP address in the future. For more advanced services, you’re often required to “pay” with more data.

Cookies

Cookies refer to data that is saved by the browser during a visit to a specific website. If that website is visited again, the site will access the cookie to get information in addition to the basic HTTP header data. This data can include nearly anything, up to and including personal information such as name, address, passwords and credit card information. For that reason, many cookies are encrypted with the highest level of data security — and your browser will give you several ways to manage, deny and delete them.

Cookies were designed as a way to provide the Internet user with a consistent and convenient experience. Without cookies, any website that required a log in would ask for your username and password every time you navigated to the site — or even to different pages on the same site. This enables things like persistent shopping carts, as well as the “history” of selections on the website — including preferences, filters and past site searches.

Browsers provide you with the means to view saved cookies, as well as to delete any or all of them. Every modern web browser also provides some method of “private browsing” which prevents the browser from sending any data other than the IP address, and also from recording that session’s activity in the browser’s history log. This still allows websites to register the incoming IP and header information, but disables the use of ongoing cookies (existing cookies won’t “know” that you’re browsing, and any new cookies won’t be saved once the browser is closed). Advanced options include “blacklisting” specific cookies, so they’ll never be saved by your browser, or even “whitelisting” to only allow specific cookies of your choosing.

Profiles and accounts

Basic data can be combined with more personal data, but only with your consent. For example, if you are signed in to a Google Account while you search, your profile data is linked to search history, and cross-referenced between Chrome, Search, YouTube, Android apps, Gmail and other Google products. This can include a lot of data that you may prefer to keep private, so Google also provides you with various ways to keep track of your information — including the Google Dashboard, an absolute must-see site for any Search user with a Google Account.

Other online services store data and specify what kinds of data is available to others. Social networking sites often have various levels of sharing, in which certain personal data is hidden from the public but accessible by friends. Likewise, the site’s Terms of Service should inform you of what data is stored, including searches performed on the site or hyperlinks shared to the site, and to whom the data can be made available. This can become complicated to manage, depending upon the site’s user controls and the transparency of its agreements with third parties such as app developers and advertisers.

Even with only an IP address to work with, you may be surprised at just how accurately these bits of anonymous and incomplete data can anticipate your likes and preferences. The more you agree to add more personally identifiable information to the mix, the Internet becomes increasingly efficient and convenient every time you search. Along with this tailored experience comes increasing responsibility to be aware of the tools at your disposal to manage and protect your personal data.