David,  I quite agree that too much is available online.  Locally, we have all real estate info and images online, including pictures of all the properties.  I, for one, would never execute a mortgage that included my social security number.  Our local recorders office requires users to establish an account and login each time the system is accessed, they can track usage that way.  It is not perfect, but it is better that unfettered access.  Our Clerk of Courts allows totally open access, but at this time all you get is docketing information, and limited information regarding judgements. .  Our Recorder asked me the other day to look at a bogus looking recording that had been mailed in from California.  I had never looked into public records in that area, but was surprised and dismayed at how much I was able to find out about the party that had sent the recording with just a little (15 minutes) effort.
I don't think we will ever go back to accessing the records only at the courthouse, but we do need to find a way to reconcile easy access with privacy concerns.  Doug