• Secure instant messaging
  People can record your instant messages with programs such as AIM Sniff. Make absolutely sure nobody's listening in by encrypting your AIM conversations or chat with your AIM friends over another client like Trillian Pro.
  Explore your options >
  
  
• Secure uploading
  If you upload a lot of files to your server or download from FTP servers a lot, use a more secure FTP client, such as the aptly named SecureFTP.
  
  
• Text-only Outlook
  Spammers sometimes include a little bug in HTML email that lets them know when you look at a message. It also tells them they have a live one and you'll probably end up getting more spam. Make sure you read your email in text-only format all the time with my simple reg edit.
  
  
• Secure your email
  OK, so if you have Outlook, you can use the text-only trick above. But what if you can't afford to spend $110 for Outlook? Try using one of my favorite Downloads of the Day, PocoMail -- you can try it for free and only pay $35 if you decide to keep it. Two more great options are CryptoMail (free, though they accept donations) and Hushmail (also free, but you can buy a premium edition for $30).
  
  
• Password-protect MS Office files
  Keep all the snoops around your home or office out of your MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.
  
  
  
  1. From within Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, click on the Tools menu and select Options.
     
  2. Click on the Security tab.
     
  3. Under "File encryption options for this document," type in a password.
     
  4. Click OK.
     
  5. When you try to open the document, you get a password.
     
  Unfortunately, folks will still be able to open your files in Notepad, but they'll need to figure out that trick first.

Stay safe!
Sarah

Dan Huard contributed to this article.