1. Always be informed so before disclosing ANY personal information, make sure you check a site’s privacy policy.
2. Confirm you have a SECURE Internet connection, which includes checking for the unbroken key or closed lock icon in the browser used – which should be done BEFORE releasing personal information of course.
3. ONLY provide credit card numbers when BUYING something AND when it has FIRST been confirmed you are buying through a secure site with a secure connection and the credit card information provided will be used as you are authorize it to be used.
4. When registering any credit cards, do so with the card provider’s online security services, such as Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode.
5. If at all possible, use just ONE credit card for ALL online purchases to minimize chances of being victimized by hackers and to more easily monitor and manage purchases and information. Also, try to use a card with a low spending limit or small available balance just in case.
6. Avoid using a debit card for online purchases. Credit cards are more secure and bank-issued security guarantees apply mainly to credit cards.
7. Avoid completely or minimize using the “remember my password” option when registering online.
8. Update/Change passwords periodically (suggested is every 60-90 days) and don’t use personal information as your password – instead, use a string of at least five letters, numbers and punctuation marks.
9. Don’t store passwords near your computer or in your purse or wallet where they can more likely be captured or stolen.
10. Keep anti-virus software up-to-date to minimize/decrease the risk of malicious codes running on your PC.
11. Have a personal firewall enabled to further protect your PC from unknown connections and intrusions.
12. Do not reply directly to e-mails seeking personal information.
13. Type web addresses directly into the browser vs. clicking links.
14. Invest in good anti-virus and anti-spam filtering software and maintain it by taking advantage of its auto update feature.
15. Do homework! Translation: Check out online retailers’ ratings at BizRate, the Better Business Bureau, and other sites before making online purchases as well as doing Internet searches to see what types of reviews are generated.

As you see, there are ways to stay safe when using the Internet and while you are never completely in the clear, you will definitely reduce the risk of being a statistic by following simple steps. This list is definitely not complete as there is so much to say with regards to the Internet and your privacy so as mentioned, stay tuned for subsequent blogs covering other areas of Internet privacy.