The author of the article emphasizes the importance of adhering to laws online, similar to those offline, and outlines several serious internet violations. The article also advises using a VPN for protection and highlights the risks of oversharing on social media, weak passwords, and illegal Google searches. It suggests that staying informed and taking preventative measures can help avoid these violations.

Here are what the five most serious internet violations are and why I believe as such:

Copyright Infringement: Engaging in unauthorized streaming or downloading of copyrighted material, such as movies, music, and images, is illegal and can lead to lawsuits. In cases of criminal copyright infringement, individuals may face criminal charges, fines, and imprisonment. Criminal penalties can include fines of up to $250,000 per offense and imprisonment of up to five years for a first offense. Subsequent offenses may result in increased fines and longer prison sentences.

Identity Fraud: Using someone else’s personal information without their consent to deceive or defraud is a crime. Victims of identity theft often face significant legal and administrative burdens in resolving fraudulent transactions, disputing charges, and restoring their identity. This can involve contacting creditors, credit bureaus, law enforcement agencies, and other authorities to report the theft and take corrective action.

Cyberbullying: This widespread issue can lead to civil or criminal charges, with potential jail time for offenders. Cyberbullying can have serious psychological effects on victims, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and suicidal thoughts. The constant harassment and public nature of cyberbullying can exacerbate feelings of shame and isolation, leading to long-term psychological trauma.

Unauthorized Recording: Secretly filming, recording, or photographing individuals using VoIP technologies without consent is illegal. Unauthorized recordings can be exploited for various malicious purposes, including harassment, blackmail, extortion, defamation, and revenge. Once recorded, the content can be disseminated widely online, leading to reputational damage, humiliation, and emotional harm to the victims.

Child Privacy Violation: Collecting data about children under 13 without parental consent violates the Children’s Online Protection Act and is considered illegal. Child privacy violation is an extremely serious issue due to the vulnerability of children and the potential long-term consequences it can have on their well-being. Privacy violations can have profound psychological effects on children, leading to feelings of fear, shame, embarrassment, and distrust. Children may experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues as a result of privacy breaches.