As was mentioned before though, cookies can also be dangerous. Instead of the helpful cookies mentioned above, you can possibly have malicious cookies. These are cookies installed on your computer either by a hacker or a bad website. Through this, they can hack into your folders and steal your passwords, or simply try and track you back to your real-life location. Even worse, these cookies could contain viruses that are planted directly on to your hard drive, and your virus scanner might not even recognize it. These can either be installed to try and steal identifying data about you, or simply with malicious intent to crash your system.

Either way, cookies are archaic technology these days. They are a relic of dial up times, and simply haven’t been removed. Websites often have log-in services that allow you to save your preferences and easily load them, and the speed advantage is a moot point due to today’s lightening fast Internet connections. The point is, cookies have been played out and might be considered a dangerous thing. EPIC, the big privacy organization, proposes that all cookies are banned due to their Internet privacy risks.

While this is a noble cause on their part, it is hard to move the status quo of legislation. They could fight for years and years before they actually got something changed, even though they are such a widespread program. In the meantime, try out an anonymous proxy to eat away (no pun intended) all of your cookie worries. Every anonymous proxy has a built in blocking system, not for websites, but for pieces of identifying information trying to access your computer. You can select to block cookies and be done with them, and be surfing anonymous while you are at it.

Epic.org is one of the world’s leading privacy sites, and publishes the esteemed EPIC alert every two weeks, which highlights and raises awareness about struggles for civil and privacy rights all over the globe, along with other publications similar in nature. EPIC has always been an advocator of comprehensive personal privacy safeguards.

Along with these publications, EPIC propagates their righteous message through their website. The home page is loaded with the latest news in descending order, and everything on there is pertinent; no shameless self-advertising or pushing other websites. At the top of the site is easy-to-navigate buttons that can transport you from the home page, to a biographical one, to an online store, press, etc. This makes the site very user friendly and allows even an apprentice of the Internet to get what they need. On either side of the main articles are offshoots of the site, such as a search bar, a topic system, and a whole bunch of goings-on. The search bar is very useful as the site has accumulated tons of articles, and they can all be quickly sorted by a couple keystrokes of the information you wish to obtain.

EPIC realizes that not everyone likes to visit a website to get their information, or just wishes to connect further. Being that EPIC is for the people, they connect on the people’s level. They offer links to an EPIC FaceBook, Twitter, and for those utilizing RSS feeds, they broadcast in this way.

EPIC was created to help the public; this always was and still is the goal. In a society where privacy is quickly becoming an idyllic memory, EPIC is trying to reverse it. While people have a voice and can state their opinions, nobody will really listen or take action if it’s just one guy. If it is a group of people, then the offending organization will listen a little more. Only another bona fide organization will stand up to another though, and this is where EPIC comes in. They are the people’s voice.

EPIC formed in 1994, when they saw that civil rights, and the people’s First Amendment rights were being encroached upon. Early on, they focused on government surveillance and the like. In 2000, they became a non-profit organization, they began to work on a much wider spectrum of Internet issues: privacy invasion, online hackers, and even the harrowing problem that is identity theft. Currently, EPIC is working to make the government less secretive about everything they do by filing “Freedom of Information” act requests, which requires the government to make certain things they do public knowledge. They have also helped out in the political realm, working to ensure equality by researching and enhancing online voting systems.

Keep in mind while providing these public philanthropy services, EPIC remains a non-profit organization. Some may be wary of logging onto non-profit sites, as some throw down the offering cup and beg you for money as soon as it is loaded. Others will slyly move you towards that part of their site to try and coerce you into making a donation. EPIC does none of that. They don’t even try to play on your heartstrings by telling you they are a non-profit site right away. It is what it is: there is a donations page, and you either make a small donation or not, there is no obligation.

A very useful part of EPIC and one that many people use as a reference tool is the annual reports. Every year, EPIC creates an annual report highlighting everything important that happened that year, and giving a state of affairs as far as privacy, civil, and First Amendment rights go.

If you are interested in learning more or becoming active in EPIC, going to the “Events”, “Press”, or to make a donation, “Support EPIC” pages.  Also, visit the site periodically to take a look at the “Take Action” highlight on the right side; this will allow you to actively make a change, and do as the title says. EPIC is as its title says. It is an epic effort required to maintain civil and privacy rights, and especially the First Amendment of the rapidly waning Constitution. As I said before though, one man nor can a disorganized group rouse change, but a true organization with great credentials can. EPIC is the people’s voice, and in a subject where some people are just so downtrodden they roll over and give in to whatever liberties are taken from them, EPIC is there to give them back the power. With so many ways to get connected and a great organization with years of experience, EPIC will get people involved and will protect our rights as it promises. It might be cliché to say, (and possibly copyrighted; sorry Allstate!) but we are truly in good hands with EPIC. Check it out and join in at epic.org.