How to Hide a Secret

Humans are very curious, nosy types, and it can be quite difficult to keep a private detail hidden away. When you don't want anyone else to know your secret, removing all trace of it is the best way. Keeping reminders might tip people off. If you can't destroy something or need to keep it, hide it in a way that makes it unlikely to be uncovered.

Instructions

1. Destroy items related to your secret. They can be as simple as love notes, photographs or video recordings. These can be easily destroyed beyond recognition.

2. Encrypt or hide anything that you need to keep. Electronic files, emails, videos or hard drives can be encrypted and password-protected to prevent anyone else from accessing them. For USBs and other drives, a program such as TrueCrypt will create a password-protected drive. If the items are not electronic, find a good hiding place such as under floorboards or a random place you think people will not look.

3. Don't talk about your secret. Don't provoke questions by dropping hints or making comments about how you have a secret. If people have questioned you before, keeping quiet is the best way to make them forget. Remember the phrase "out of sight, out of mind"? Well, you've worked hard to hide your secret, now don't remind anyone.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't make it too obvious that you're keeping a secret. Destroy only items that relate to the secret. People will wonder why if you burn every photograph in your house. Don't act shady or unusual, or people will get suspicious.

• If you're securing electronic items, don't miss anything. Sometimes phantom copies of emails or files will remain on your hard drive for years.

• Don't lie. Lying requires that you keep details straight, and people can sense lies. Your secret likely will come out eventually.

• Expect people to find out sooner or later if your secret is serious enough.