Anonymity and authenticity in the cloud: issues and applications

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe personal privacy and data authenticity problems in the cloud and provide solutions to reduce or eliminate them.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reveals issues and applications of anonymity and authenticity in the cloud. It outlines common privacy settings of five web browsers, anonymous browsing on the Tor network and standard methods for verifying the integrity of files obtained in the cloud.

Findings

Cloud computing is an emerging technology for libraries which must balance the convenience of ubiquitous access against the potential risks for loss of anonymity and authenticity.

Originality/value

This article contributes to the body of literature on user privacy and data preservation in the cloud and their impact on the library community.

Citation

Delozier, E.P. (2013), "Anonymity and authenticity in the cloud: issues and applications", OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, Vol. 29 No. 2, pp. 65-77. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650751311319278