How to Protect Your Privacy

Computer

• Use a firewall : keep it running at all times. See Technical Tips : Firewall Software
  
• Use anti-spyware software : keep it updated. See Technical Tips : Anti-Spyware Software List
  
• Use anti-virus software : keep it updated. See Technical Tips : Anti-Virus Software List
  
• Use anti-tojan software : keep it running at all times. See Technical Tips : Anti-Trojan Software List
  
• Use Windows Password : use windows (2000/XP) password to login your account. Do not set the computer to auto-login.
  
• Create a browsing account : use a non-Administrative rights account when you are browsing the web.
  
• Use Windows XP Restore feature : create a browsing account and on a monthly basis, restore it to the first of the month.
  Any viruses/spyware installed while browsing will be backed out.
  
• Use a proxy server/site : to access a site without revealing your IP address. See Technical Tips : Browse Using a Proxy
  
  

Online Browsing

• Use Firefox : Firefox is a much safer browser than Internet Explorer.
  
• Use Mozilla Thunderbird : Thunderbird is much safer than Microsoft Outlook.
  
• Use Bugmenot.comt : find an existing user and password. please add to the database too.
  
• Passwords : Pick a strong password (a�combination�of�upper�and�lower�case�letters,�and�should preferably�contain�some�digits�and�special�characters�e.g.�punctuation)
  use it everywhere. e.g. AnWyCcD4U1961. See How to Create a Strong Password : eConsultant
  
• Make up a fictional identity : pick and consistently use a fictional identity : date of birth, place of birth, mother's name for the security questions.
  
• Use Disposable email addresses : use disposable addresses at sites which require registration. See Technical Tips : Find a Disposable Email Address
  
• Get news via Google News / Yahoo! News : most local newspaper require registration. You can get the same AP news via Google/Yahoo without registering at various sites.
  
• Do not reply to spammers, for any reason. : replying tells them that they have reached a valid address.
  
  

Online Shopping

• Passwords : pick a strong password (a�combination�of�upper�and�lower�case�letters,�and�should preferably�contain�some�digits�and�special�characters�e.g.�punctuation)
  use it everywhere. e.g. AnWyCcD4U1961
  
• Temporary card numbers : most credit card companies let you generate one-time temporary credit card numbers. Use them.
  
• Use Disposable email addresses : use one-time/disposable addresses at one-time/what-a-deal shopping sites. See Technical Tips : Find a Disposable Email Address
  
• Use Gmail address extensions : use myname+amazon@gmail.com at Amazon; myname+safeway@gmail.com at Safeway etc
  
  

Online Banking

• Sign Up : sign up for online banking and online e-statements. Print them yourself. One less item in your physical mailbox.
  
• Bookmark your financial sites : bookmark the account sites and only use those bookmarks to sign-in.
  
• Don't fall for phishing emails : Do not ever use any banking links that come via email.
  If your banks really needs your information/some options checked, it'll ask you when you login to your account.
  
• Banking records : your big bank has a credit card division, an insurance division, a small business division, a loans division.
  Opt-out of your bank sharing information with them.
  
  

Credit Report

• Get your free credit report. : Use AnnualCreditReport.com Or Call 1-877-322-8228.
  There are three big credit review companies : Equifax, Experian, TransUnion.
  You can keep a yearly watch on your credit by ordering a report from a different one every four months.
  
• Freeze your credit : All three credit reporting bureaus allow you to "security freeze" your credit.
  A security freeze means that your file cannot be shared with potential creditors.
  
  

Credit Cards

• Say No to Credit Card offers. : use OptOutPrescreen.com to stop those pre-approved envelopes in your mailbox.
  
  

Social Security Numbers

• Protect that SSN : do NOT keep the card in your wallet.
  
• Give out only when mandatory : your employer, bank, credit card, health insurance company and some government agencies needs it.
  Be wary of other companies or organizations asking for it.
  
  

Phone Company

• Do Not Call : Use National Do Not Call Registry Or Call 1-888-382-1222
  
• Phone records. : opt-out of your phone company sharing your records with anyone.
  
  

Supermarket Shopping

• Supermarket loyalty cards : make up a fake name and address, get a new one every other month,
  tell the checker that you forgot your card and ask him/her to use the one they keep below the checkout register.
  
• Creative phone number / zip code : create a phone number or even use the store's own number when asked.
  
  

Telemarketers

• Ignore telemarketers : let the answering machine pick up all calls. Call back people you want to talk to.
  
• Annoy telemarketers : keep them on the line; ask questions; but don't buy anything.
  
  

At Home

• Lock your mail box : make sure no one is stealing your postal mail.
  
• Shredder : use it to shred any documents with confidential information.
  
• Bank Checks : do NOT have your driver's license or phone number printed on your checks.
  
  

Customer Service Agents

• Quiz customer service reps : ask what will they do with your phone;
  ask how do they know your address and what will it take to remove it from their records.
  But, please do not personally blame them for their company policies.
  
  

Complain

• Complain : in writing, to companies with crazy policies.
  Only when enough people complain and take their business elsewhere that companies change their ways.
  
  

Some useful links

• AnnualCreditReport.com : Official annual credit report site.
  
• Your Access to Free Credit Reports : Federal Trade Commision site.
  
• Equifax : Big-3 credit reporting bureaus.
  
• Experian : Big-3 credit reporting bureaus.
  
• TransUnion : Big-3 credit reporting bureaus.
  
• National Do Not Call Registry : Official Do Not Call site.
  
• OptOutPrescreen.com : Official pre-approval opt-out site.
  

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• eConsultant � Blog Archive � How to Protect Your Privacy
  

This entry was posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 at 7:57 AM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.