In other cases, Web sites may request your e-mail address, then send you notices, solicitations, or other "junk mail". So, another important rule-of-thumb is to NEVER give out your e-mail address unless you want to receive e-mails about the organization's services, products, etc.
Web producers are aware of this junk mail problem. Some Web sites have a "check-box option" promising you that if you check the box, the site won't sell or distribute your e-mail address without your permission. Definitely find and check this option when giving a Web site your personal information!
Also look for confidentiality or privacy statements on Web sites to determine whether your privacy is protected.
Here's an example:
This screen below is from the NewRx Web site.
(Click here if you want to open a new browser window to this site. You can also do a "Bookmark" in Netscape® or add it to your "Favorites" in Internet Explorer® if you want to go back to it later: http://www.newsrx.net/).
NewsRx is a Web site that collects and prints news stories about drugs and drug therapies. It may be a useful site for those of you who want to keep track of the latest news stories about AIDS drugs.
Notice on the screen below that there is not a privacy or confidentiality check-box, but there is a HONcode Principles link.
Maybe this is some kind of an ethics code? Let's click on the link and check it out.
As you can see on the screen image above, NewsRx has a confidentiality statement. This lets us know that the site producers have thought about ethical issues and have pledged to protect users' privacy.
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