Ask Slashdot: Privacy Paranoia 323
dvbuser writes "The privacy debate is well known these days — organizations that track every click, geolocation, image, you name it. So now I sit here today monitoring my IP blockers, obfuscation algorithms, tor relay and each packet that goes in or out of every device that I operate. I even wear a hat always when I go outdoors, never carry a cell phone, and never look up (well, not all of that is true). But is it really that bad? Am I simply going to wind up completely out of touch with the modern world, where the next generation so boldly (for want of a better word) goes? What's wrong with targeted advertising? And if the feds can track my every movement — who cares? Sure, I don't want to be a victim of identity theft, and I like to download some p0rn every now and then, but I don't want to exclude myself from society, or spend copious hours trying to preserve it, merely from paranoia or at the very least from an overbearing sense of privacy. What does the average Slashdotter do to preserve their privacy (or what's left of it) while still making the most out of what the web has to offer?"
Keeping your privacy is a life style change (Score:5, Informative)
Shred old bills / receipts with any identifying info after the "retain tax info" time frame.
Shred all Credit Card applications sent to you unsolicited.
Remove your self from the list to receive unsolicited Credit Card Applications by notifying at least one if not all 3 major Credit bureaus.
Use dummy email addresses if you can on line that is specifically meant for junk mail.
Avoid making Credit Card purchase on line when a phone call and complete the same transaction.
Keep your cell phone as dummied down as possible.
Watch for warnings from govt. sites that state that your info will become public record if you provide it on-line.
Let your friends know that your privacy is important and to not share what they know about you in real life or on line.
Keep your photos off line.
Quietly lean on friends to keep you in tune with the latest technologies.
Use Cash where ever possible.
If you're not willing to be diligent in doing these things and more then you're not ready.