How to Protect Your Privacy
Computer
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
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