The America Online MythBuster

Reality:
False

While AOL lets its advertisers do just about anything, it is busy tracking your movements across the AOL community for future demographic and statistical use. Stop by the NASCAR racing area for a bit? You can expect to receive some junk mail in the future from race car advertisers looking to sell you something. Similiar results follow depending on where you go.

Additionally, AOL has a formal policy of blocking its customers from visiting web sites that AOL deems critical of the online giant. The reasoning - such sites may be "injurious to AOL."

Your uncensored and unmonitored Internet access is the most important thing to us. As such, we have a strict policy of ensuring the privacy and open accessibility of your online experience.

Myths:

1. Raising charges 20% while reducing your online time is normal.
2. All Internet Providers have poor customer support.
3. Receiving 100+ e-mails a week from strangers is normal.
4. All Internet Access Providers are harder to use than AOL.
5. AOL offers content that can't be had elsewhere.
6. I have to use AOL to chat or e-mail with other AOL members.
7. Experiencing constant busy signals is normal.
8. Wading through 3 to 6 blinking ads before getting online is normal.
9. Censorship is a normal part of using the Internet.
10. Everyone's private and credit card information is open season to anyone without a search warrant.