How much or should I say, what would it take for you to give out your personal data? A trip to Paris? A brand new car? Or perhaps, a bar of chocolate would do? Apparently, based on a survey conducted by Infosecurity Europe on 576 office workers outside Liverpool Street Station in London, a free bar of chocolate is good enough for 45% of women and 10% of men to give out their passwords. Only 21% surveyed were unwilling to give their password of which 60% later provided personal data such as date of birth. 60% of men and 62% of women happily provided their names and telephone numbers to enter a draw to go to Paris.

People are not aware of the extensive possibilities in which their personal data can be utilised. A mere name and telephone number is substantial information for a social engineer to gain further information about you which could then lead to your life being turned upside down. Call me dramatic or far fetched - remember Kevin Mitnick?

As a bid to prove just how easily people do give out their personal data, the Belgian consumer organisation - OIVO, set up a website called CelBel which asks youths between 13 to 21 years of age to register with them in exchange for free mobile phone subscription until they reach the age of 21. Sounds too good to be true? Once the user has entered their information and clicked on the submit button, they are taken to a page which informs that the site is fake and then takes you to a website which explains the abuses of personal data.

Well, good thing OIVO is legit, but do you see how easily the art of deception and manipulation can be practised on the Internet to get you to give out your personal data? And better still, do you see how easy it is for you to fall into that trap?