Privacy Special Report: Stealth Surfing

All right already, we all know there's no privacy on the Web. Online intrusion is like the proverbial weather--everybody talks about it, but nobody ever seems to do anything about it.

You can defend your online privacy, however. In fact, you must: The simple act of browsing can leave traces of you all over the place, enabling sites to gather information about you without your knowledge.

Whether the offense is spam in your mailbox, Web cookies on your hard drive, or word of your online identity becoming as widespread as ragweed pollen, you are not helpless. Fortunately, you have numerous ways to combat privacy invasions--from simple browser-setting tweaks to more robust and customizable third-party software to a Web service's solutions. You can just say no to those attacks on your anonymity.

Because Internet privacy attacks come at us from every direction, the best way to defend yourself is to take on each enemy individually. Accordingly, we'll explore, one by one, the various options available for controlling Web cookies, spam, and your online identity. Maintaining online privacy and security may be tricky, but you can do it. First, be sure to take the online privacy quiz to see just how paranoid you should be. We've also included tips for making your AOL experience safer. And if you have a DSL or cable modem connection, pay special attention to the section on broadband security.

Before You Do Anything Else...

Your first step toward achieving security online is to make sure your browser supports the highest level of encryption.

The standard Internet Explorer and Netscape browsers use 40- or 56-bit encryption for secure socket connections--the ones whose URLs begin https:// (note the s at the end). That's weaker than it could be: The optimum legal setting is 128-bit.

To check the encryption depth of your installed version of Internet Explorer, select Help, About. You'll see the current Cipher Strength listed. If it's 40-bit, click the Update Information link for a small download that upgrades the browser to 128-bit encryption. (Unfortunately, there is no encryption upgrade patch, so you will have to install a new full version.)

In Netscape Navigator, when you have an online connection, select Help, Software Updates to open a Netscape site; click the Your Installed Software link to find the Cipher Strength. If it's 56-bit, select Upgrade To Netscape Communicator to obtain 128-bit protection.