From WNYC in New York, this is NPR's On the Media.

I'm Bob Garfield.

And I'm Brooke Gladstone.

This spring, we aired a series of stories about the Internet.

We explored what it's doing to our ability to concentrate and socialize.

We asked whether we need a new Internet altogether, a safer yet more restrictive web.

And we considered the darker side of Internet anonymity.

This week, we're combining those pieces into a single show,

starting with Bob's piece about how online anonymity creates a new class of victim and predator.

Through your Explorer toolbar, Microsoft knows your every keystroke.

Your EasyPass and your GPS cell phone monitor your whereabouts and record them.

Your financial details and health information are data files somewhere, most likely many

somewheres. Your purchases are tracked at the supermarket checkout, and Google serves you online ads

based on the content of your personal Gmail.

It's downright creepy if you think about it.

If Big Brother were interested in you personally, you'd have nowhere to hide.

We are one people.

We want him.

One resolve.

One cause.

But on that point, I've got some good news for you.

Big Brother isn't much interested in you personally.

...