The Internet is a vast world of virtual information. Activities such as online shopping and social networking sites have put people in the position of wondering how private their information is compared to the rest of the Internet. Can the average person completely control their privacy, or are some parts of their personal information out of their control? Furthermore, is online privacy the complete responsibility of the individual? I have found that online privacy can be difficult to fully control due to various types of tracking and third-party devices. That said, although these devices can very subtly obtain private information, being informed about the methods of information collection can help a person make better decisions about their Internet privacy. However, complete privacy is unlikely (Mitchell, 2013). In the Engineering and Technology Journal, two engineers, Gareth Mitchell and Guy Clapperton, gave their thoughts on both sides of the privacy issue. Does information collection violate personal privacy? They transformed their arguments by using currency as a metaphor for personal information and online services into a product. Mitchell argues that providing personal information is “too high a price to pay” (Mitchell, 2013, p. 26). He says that despite the ability to opt out of cookies and some information, many sites are more hidden and make their opt-out option less accessible than a pop-up asking you to opt-out. The site makes it difficult for the Internet user to say no to tracking. Mitchell warns the reader to be more careful about the information they are providing and that “privacy should not be taken for granted” (Mitchell, 2013, p. 26). Getting information from the Internet would mean between...... half of paper ......, websites and online marketers find ways to bypass users' precautions to obtain personal information. There are many people out there who wish to use personal information such as credit card numbers or addresses to cause harm to others. These cases are the extremely bad ones that people want and should avoid. The case of companies and third parties that track browsing history and other information for advertising purposes sits on a thinner line between good and evil. For some people, tracking may be considered convenient in terms of purchasing what they are interested in, while others may feel uncomfortable at the thought of being tracked without knowing it. As stated at the beginning, complete privacy is unlikely, but being knowledgeable about Internet tactics can help protect yourself and others in your care by being as careful and private as possible..