I never really was very concerned with how secure my information is. There are times that I am cautious about what kind of information I give out and what kinds of things I don't. To me any government agency should be able to be trusted despite the kinds of things the bush administration has been caught up in lately. I think it's important to separate privacy into three categories. Personal, like phone conversations or emails that could be embarrassing, financial, like getting something charged on your credit card and just annoying, like spam in email and door to door salesman one after another.
I don't find financial fraud to be very treating to me because I have so few finances. I know this sounds immature but if someone did get all of my information there would be very much to do with it and would be easier to clear up than it would be for someone with a lot of money. I only usually trust large corporations that usually are trusted. I kind of have a go with the flow philosophy when it comes to providing information. I use EBay and Amazon on the Internet and only bank with one company. I never open credit cards and when to optout.com to stop getting a lot of credit card offers that I totally don't need. Also I think it is a good habit to keep on top of credit card statements and check at least each week online banking accounts.
After listening to our lecture in class I've started to be weary of who and why I am giving out information to corporations. For instance I started to sign up for Webster dictionary online but stopped because they asked for a address. I figured that I didn't need any publications from Webster just the convince of using it online when I needed it but I never got it. Also I started to forward my mail (normal mail) to a new address and did it on USPS.com but they asked for a $1.00 service fee. It seemed strange but I did it anyway. They also have a lot different companies and magazines that they try to have you sign up for throughout the mail forwarding process.
Things like the AOL slip up do happen but I think that's the risk that should be taken. I'd compare it to odds of getting robbed or being in a burning building. Yeah it can happen but its the risk you take.
