This article examines electronic communication from a global perspective. First, it presents a background of the Internet, the typical security risks created by use of the Internet, and new techniques, such as encryption, which have the potential to reduce these risks.; Second, the paper addresses two legal issues: 1. Does a lawyer's use of e-mail to communicate waive the attorney-client privilage?; 2. Does a lawyer's use of e-mail to communicate confidential information violate the lawyer's duty of confidentiality?; Third, the article discusses legal issues implicated by an employer's decision to monitor its employees' electronic communications, and finally, it discusses document retention policies involving electronic communications.