How to Protect Online Privacy

For all the beauties of the Internet, there are some problems that we all have to be continually aware of in order to circumvent them. One such problem is online privacy. Whether you are someone who does a lot of shopping online or you just like to email friends and family a lot, you need to be vigilant about keeping your person matters private. Follow these steps to help protect your online privacy.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check the privacy policies of the websites you visit. Websites can track everything about you from the kind of computer you use to the other websites you have visited. If you find no privacy policy on the websites you visit, you might want to re-think visiting them because they can leak information about your browsing habits to others.

2. Opt for a second personal email account. When you use your work e-mail account to handle your personal business, you are opening yourself up to monitoring by your employer. Unless you want your company to know everything about your shopping habits and personal life, you should get a separate e-mail address for personal business.

3. Cover your tracks and empty your memory cache. If you want to keep the websites you browse at work to yourself, you need to clear your viewing history at the end of each day. In Internet Explorer, you just go to "Internet Tools," "Preferences," and then "Clear History."

4. Encrypt your email and your stored online forms. This option is readily accessible on almost all e-mail programs and online forms. This will prevent others from taking a look at your personal information.

5. Use your gut instincts to protect your online privacy. Just be wary of strangers soliciting information from you that you feel uncomfortable about giving. Be guarded in your choice of e-tailers. If you feel uneasy about something, avoid it.

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