We’ve decided to write a Top 10 about protecting your privacy. This is really a list of ideas, not an entire comprehensive approach.

1. Control where you put your information.

2. Be cautious about using public computers. Only use trusted locations when you’re accessing financial information
online, not WiFi.

3. Verify the presence of an SSL lock when you are providing any confidential
information. The address will read https://, not http://.

4. Use different passwords for important items. Use random letters and numbers, not simple words. Words alone are the easiest passwords for hackers to crack. When asked don’t save any passwords.

5. Remember that public information online is available to the whole world.

6. Don’t post your Social Security number or bank account number online.

7. Never follow e-mail links that ask you for personal information. Close the email,
then go to the web site itself.

8. Remember that companies can’t deceive users with their privacy policies. Always read
privacy policies to learn about how the company can and cannot use the
information you provide.

9. Beware of violating a company’s Terms of Service or TOS.
If you violate the terms of service, you will leave yourself unprotected in a
legal action. For example, if you gave out your bank account information to a
third-party web site and that web site was hacked, the bank would not bear
responsibility to compensate you for lost funds. This goes for Mint.com.

10. List-sharing: Always opt out of list-sharing when you sign up for a service. This prevents the
company from selling your information to third parties, which they often do to make more money.