The Privacy Handbook: Proven Countermeasures for Combating Threats to Privacy, Security, and Personal Freedom

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase safety," stated Benjamin Franklin in 1759, "deserve neither liberty nor safety." Unfortunately, in today's climate of fear, the government, the media and plenty of other American citizens see things differently. If you are not willing to accept "some restrictions in civil liberties to guarantee security," (as Tom Brokaw and others have phrased it), this book is essential reading. In it, Michael Chesbro shares hundreds of simple but effective measures you can take - short of armed revolution - to preserve your privacy and sovereignty in the face of Big Brother run amok. By being aware of the various threats to financial privacy, computer and online security, private communications, home security and more, and by employing these techniques to combat them, you can protect yourself from rogue government agents and meddling bureaucracies as well as nosy neighbors, prying family members, identity thieves, stalkers, solicitors and other enemies of privacy and personal liberty. Only half of this book is a how-to guide, while the other half is a political polemic on the intrusion of government and business into the privacy of American citizens. Alongside suggestions to "double-wrap" your mail and refusal to show identification cards whenever possible, the author (a former U.S. military man) complains about the way companies and government collect and share information about consumers and citizens. The author is coming to the material from a right-wing libertarian perspective, but most people concerned about privacy rights will find echoes of their own concerns here. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).