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User can "shed" personal details, including e-mail addresses and other contact information,without even knowing it if their software are not properly configured.Every Web Browsers contain profile information about you.When your browser asks for information,use a pseudonym instead of your real name,and do not enter an e-mail address or provide other personally indentifiable information that you do not wish to share.When visiting a website you trust you can choose to provide information;there is no need for your browser to make this information available to any page that requests it.Also be on the lookout for system-wide "internet defaults"programs on your computer,such as Window's Internet Control Panel,MacOS's Configuration Manager and the third-party Mac utility named Internet Config.While they are useful,they should be anonymised if they contain any personal information.Keep your choice of internet access tools as simple as possible.
2: Look for privacy policies and seals on websites
More and more websites have begun to provide privacy policies that detail the sites information practices.Browsers such as Internet Explorer 7 and Netscape 7 include features such as privacy policy viewers and standards-based cookie management to protect their users.Look for these policies and read them carefully.A"privacy policy"does not necessarily mean it will protect you.Many are little more than disclaimers saying that you have no privacy.Look for privacy policies to be backed by TRUSTe or BBBonline.If a website has no privacy policy,write and inform the company that you are a user of their website and would like to see them post a policy.CDT's Privacy Watchdog and the W3C Platform for Privacy Preference (P3P) sites can be of help.
3: Look for information beyond the website
Factors other than a secure connection and a privacy policy should be considered.Things to look for on a site include offline contact information and/or postal address,the reputation of the company/hosting service/etcetera.Also look out for auto-rebilling scams and hidden fees and other terms of use.If you have any suspicions,google up the site for information on it.
4: Enusre that online forms are secure
Any information on the internet is susceptible to at least interception if nothing else.The way some online forms may be transmitted could vulnerable to undesired access.Most of these forms are supposed to be encrypted so that only the intended recipients can readily translate the information.Many browsers will inform or indicate to users whether a particular page or form allows encrypted transfer.Make sure this feature in your browser is turned on.If a page is not secure,refrain from inputting senstive personal information on it.
5: Reject Unnecessary Cookies
Cookies give websites the capability to log data about a user's visit on his or her computer's hard drive.Website operators use these cookies to know if a user has visited the site before and in some cases,what the user did on the site.Many personalised search engines use cookies to deliver news topics that users select and often to target advertisements.Most browsers allow users to delete cookies and specify which sites to accept cookies from.Enable the option of being informed before accepting a cookie and decide for yourself whether or not it would be safe for you to do so.
6: Clear the browser's Cache
When you browse the Web,copies of every page you visit and its images are saved in a cache on the computer's hard disk.While the cached data speed up subsequent visits to the sites,it can also compromise personal privacy,particularly if you are browsing from a public or work computer.Look through the browser's help manual for a way to clear its cache and then do so every time you are done browsing.
7: Opt-out third party information sharing
Many online services allow users the option to get off (or "opt-out") the lists that share your information.Companies often let users opt out online.A number of companies ask for permission (opt-in) before sharing personal information they collect.Often,however,companies make opting out difficult or virtually impossible;addresses are buried,one cannot opt-out online,etcetera.Users can consult the Consumer Privacy Guide or CDT's Operation Opt Out for help in dealing with these services.
8: Teach Kids that giving out personal information online equals talking to strangers
Teach children to consult adults or ask for permission before revealing their name,address or other information about themselves or the family.A number of websites encourage children to give information about themselves or their family while offering games and free gifts.In the Us,Laws require companies to gain parental consent before targeting children under 13 years old for personal information.Educate children on consequences of compromising their privacy.
9: Use Anonymisers while browsing
The moment you type in a Web addres,information about your computer and the sites you visit are logged in three different locations (your computer. the ISP and the site's hosting server) at least and,possibly,the many more intermediary systems data packets from your computer passes through on the internet.To avoid the trail of cumbs,users can use anonymisers while browsing or even chatting.Anonymisers (or anonymous proxies) are tools that strip out user information,thus preserving anonymity.Visit anonymizer.com or unipeak.com
10: Use common sense
Use common sense,ask questions and seek out resources.People on the internet are much the same as people you would encounter every day in physical reality;your neighbours,your colleagues,your street corner conman.This means you can use many of the same behaviour patterns that you use in the offline environment.Ask yourself a set of familiar questions when you are online:Would you give your credit card number to a random street vendor? Would you prefer to transact with a well-established,trusted firm?How much information need to process a subscription?Will you be subjected to junk mail if you disclose your postal or e-mail address?
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