1 fill in only necessary information on rebate ,warranty, and registration forms
2 do not preprint your telephone number or social security number on personal checks
3 have an unlisted or unpublished telephone number
4 if caller id ia available in your area. find out how to block your number from displaying on the receiver's system
5 do not write your telephone number on charge or credit receipts
6 ask merchants not to write credit card number, telephone numbers, social security number, and driver's license number on the back of your personal checks
7 purchase goods with cash,rather than credit or checks
8 avoid shopping club and buyer cards
9 if merchants ask personal questions, find out why they want to know before releasing the information
10 inform merchants that you do not want them to distribute your personal information
11 request ,in writing , to be removed from mailing lists
12 obtain your credit report once a year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies (equifax,experian,and transUnion) and correct any errors
13 request a free copy of your medical records once a year from the medical information bureau
14 limit the amount of information you provide to websites. fill in only required information
15 install a cookie manager to filter cookie
16 clear you history file when you are finished browsing
17 set up a free e-mail account. use this e-mail address for merchant forms
18 turn off file and printer sharing on your internet connection
19 install a personal firewall
20 sign up for e-mail filtering through your internet access provider or use an anti-spam program such as brightmail
21 do not reply to spam for any reason
22 surf the web anonymously with a program such as freedom websecure or through an anonymous website such as anonymizer.com