What You Say Online Can and Will Be Used Against You

[Commentary] It is no secret that Facebook, Google, Microsoft and others are targeting your personal data.

They use complex methods to gather, store, and reuse information that is important to you. They look at the things you post, the things you search for, the websites you visit, the things you like, and then adjust the ads you see. Cookies stored on your computer or device keep track of websites you've visited, especially the sites you frequent most. Many times, we seem surprised by how much these companies know about us.

But in reality, most people upload photos, make comments, "friend" others and "like" things without a second thought. Over time, it can be determined by our online activity when you are most likely to post something, when you are online, and for how long. It's easy to determine what you do for fun, your political stance, and your religious preference. Even more simple is to determine your family members and best friends.

[Warner is CEO of ContentWatch]