Online Privacy Tools

The following information gives you an overview of tools that will help protect the privacy of your information while you are online. Disclaimer

5 steps to better online privacy

1. Only conduct business, visit sites or become involved with web sites that have adequate privacy policies that cover at least:

  • To whom your information will be passed onto
  • Why the information is being collected
  • How the information will be used
  • How you can access information the organisation holds about you

2. Install and use privacy enhancing software including:

3. Opt out of all further contact with the organisation when filling in forms unless you know you want to be in further contact with it

4. Only give as much personal information as you are comfortable with

5. Use an online identity and free email service to protect against giving out your details to spammers

Firewalls

Install a firewall to stop unauthorised access to your machine while you are online such as the following:

Check your firewall doesn't leak:

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Cookie Removers

Where possible and practical do not accept cookies when browsing the Internet and use cookie management and deletion programs such as (Please note most browsers enable you to delete cookies within the application):

Further cookie information:

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Web Bug Remover

Install web bug detection software such as:

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Anonymous Web Browsing

Use anonymous web surfing services such as:

Further tips are available in Thomas C Greene's anonymity tips article published by The Register.

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Encrypted Email

Use secure email programs which enable you to send encrypted emails such as:

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Advertising Filters

Use advertising filters to stop pop up windows that often use cookies to collect information about you while you are online such as:

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Anti-Spam Tools

 

Install software that stops spam

Anti-spam software includes:

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Anti-Spyware Tools

 

Install anti-spyware software such as:

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Further Information

More privacy related software is available @

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Disclaimer The Office of the Privacy Commissioner does not endorse the products listed on this page nor has it tested the products. The links are provided for your information only. If you have any suggestions for this page please email privacy@privacy.gov.au

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