CONFIDENTIAL DATA PROTECTION THROUGH USAGE SCOPING

Methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for protecting confidential data on a network. An embodiment of the inventive method comprises the steps of: monitoring 110 data directed to a website; identifying 120 a data string having at least one confidential characteristic; categorizing the data string with a categorization level; examining 140 the website for at least one characteristic consistent with confidential data; creating 155 a website characteristic profile; comparing 170 the website characteristic profile with the data string's categorization level for compatibility; and determining 180 whether the data string can be communicated to the website.