Rating: 
Summary: Good, Practical Advice on Preventing Personal Fraud
Review: Author Michael Hyatt is a best- selling author and speaker who wrote this book to advise individuals on ways to protect themselves in today's digital age. He feels that we need to be aware of the everyday dangers to our personal privacy, and that we should not take this issue lightly. Hyatt begins the book by discussing the supposed "threat" that exists today, from corporations, individuals, and the government. According to Hyatt, there are threats to your privacy that are all around you, and some are not so obvious to the naked eye. Most of us are aware of some of the threats, like government surveillance and Social Security number theft. But other privacy threats are not quite so obvious, like the threat imposed by using supermarket credit cards. Through the use of these cards, the store is able to keep tabs on all sorts of personal data, which is often more information than many people would want them to have. In the second and third parts of the book, Hyatt talks about specific strategies to use, to minimize the problems that are caused by invasions of privacy. He recommends, for instance, using a P.O. Box, whenever practical, instead of your home address, to avoid letting others know exactly where you live. He also recommends not carrying your Social Security Card in your wallet, and getting your Social Security number removed from your driver's license and other forms of ID, to reduce the chances of identity theft. Hyatt wraps of the book with several appendices that are meant to assist the individual in assessing his/her privacy knowledge and risk. There's a privacy self assessment test; a privacy checklist; privacy resource list; family privacy policy; and a public servant questionnaire. Hyatt seems a little obsessed with his concerns about privacy, and many readers might think he borders on being paranoid. Are we really in this much danger, to justify taking all these measures to protect our privacy? Personally, I think Hyatt goes a bit overboard on a few occassions (like when he recommends not using cordless phones, because someone could be listening in) but I must admit that I did take his advice by removing my Social Security Card from my wallet. I don't carry it with me anymore. Overall, this is a pretty good book. It's a quick read, and it does give some sound advice on how to protect yourself in the information age. I wouldn't necessarily take everything Hyatt recommends to heart, but I think that some of his recommendations are worth listening to. It's better to be safe, than sorry.
Rating: 
Summary: Invasion of Privacy: How To Protect Yourself
Review: Every person in America needs this advice! A member of my family was recently a victim of identity theft, and since it happened we have all been scrambling to find good information on protecting privacy. We bought several books and this one was by far the most informative and simple. In his book, Hyatt offers simple solutions that make you less attractive to criminals. Believe me, watching my loved one go through this identity theft has inspired many to take action and protect ourselves. And this book gives us all the info we need, I HIGHLY recommend!
Rating:
Summary: Super Practical, Super Helpful and Super Important
Review: I got a copy of this book shortly after it first came out - after I heard a fantastic radio interview with Mr. Hyatt. Until I heard Mr. Hyatt, I didn't think I was particularly vulnerable, nor did I have anything to hide, so why should I be interested in privacy? After hearing the interview and especially after reading this book, I now believe that every person ought to be concerned about personal privacy and take steps to secure it. I do not sense that Mr. Hyatt is "fear mongering" at all. His explanations of the problem and his suggestions are very balanced and very practical, while at the same time are very sobering. He demonstrates how intertwined our personal freedom and our personal privacy are. The two go hand-in-hand. One aspect of this book that I particularly found helpful was his descriptions of the different levels of privacy. He does not expect us to act like "spys," sneaking around and living in a perpetual state of paranoia. In chapter 5 "Making the Decision and Setting Goals," he lays out three dimensions of privacy. Depending upon what an individual wants to protect and what resources are available to him, he can decide how much to do. In the following chapters he gets very specific. For example, he says step one might be get a P.O. Box, the next level might be a mail drop address (like Mail Boxes, etc.), etc. Each level will provide you with more privacy, but will cost you more money and more time. Privacy is neither cheap nor convenient, but, in the end, it's your decision as to how much privacy you want. Just get the book and find out for yourself. Also, I highly recommend going to his web site.... He discusses other items that will be helpful to those who have read his book.
Rating:
Summary: More Than Just an Examination of the Problem
Review: I have now read several books on privacy. This is the first one I have read that offers real nuts and bolts solutions to privacy problems. The book is full of strategies and tips for ordinary consumers. It has its share of scary stories, but the focus is definitely on empowerment. Hyatt contends that the battle for privacy will be won or lost in the next few years. The responsibility for reclaiming and maintaining privacy is not government or industry; it is ours. In this highly readable book, he provides a step-by-step plan. I highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: This is how to protect your privacy, but at what cost?
Review: I was surprised that this book has received 5 stars from everyone reviewing it so far. I do agree that Mr. Hyatt does an excellent job in telling you exactly what to do in protecting your privacy. However, the time, money and energy spent on this is an enormous investment. I can understand the wisdom of not giving out your social security number freely, but how many people are willing to do the following (these are things the author suggests): Get a "mail drop" where your mail will be sent to - it's an actual physical address, not a PO Box. Never accept mail addressed to you at your residence. Don't say anything sensitive on the phone - these discussions should only be in person. Don't have any credit cards, utilities, or ANYTHING with your real name and address. You can create alternate addresses and alternate identities. Pay for everything with cash or money orders. Create a different "identity" - don't use your real name. Create a credit history for this "person" and sign up for utilities in his/her name. If you have to sign for something, see if a friend or relative will sign it and have it in their name instead. Don't allow your computer to accept cookies and use Evidence Eliminator software so no one can see where you've been on the internet. Disable Java and Active X. These are just a few examples. I do believe that there are people who have had trouble with invasion of their privacy, but how far is the average American willing to go to protect their privacy? Is this really necessary? Wouldn't the focus of your life be on keeping your personal information very private? This book reminded me of what a spy would have to go through - or someone who really has something to hide. Mr. Hyatt, to his credit, doesn't advocate breaking the law, but at times, I think he walks a fine line. Legal, maybe? but is all this ethical? And you can bet that there are a lot of people writing similar books who encourage getting fake IDs, etc. The name Michael Hyatt might ring a bell in your mind. Mr. Hyatt wrote "The Millenium Bug" and several other books about Y2K. He became interested in "self-reliant living" and privacy issues through the research he did when writing the books about Y2K. In hindsight, of course, the problems Mr. Hyatt forecasted never came to pass. "The Millenium Bug" and similar books, helped fuel the panic and fear and paranoia that was such a part of our culture during 1998 and 1999. So, you might want to take that into account when making these decisions for yourself and your family.
Rating:
Summary: This is how to protect your privacy, but at what cost?
Review: I was surprised that this book has received 5 stars from everyone reviewing it so far. I do agree that Mr. Hyatt does an excellent job in telling you exactly what to do in protecting your privacy. However, the time, money and energy spent on this is an enormous investment. I can understand the wisdom of not giving out your social security number freely, but how many people are willing to do the following (these are things the author suggests): Get a "mail drop" where your mail will be sent to - it's an actual physical address, not a PO Box. Never accept mail addressed to you at your residence. Don't say anything sensitive on the phone - these discussions should only be in person. Don't have any credit cards, utilities, or ANYTHING with your real name and address. You can create alternate addresses and alternate identities. Pay for everything with cash or money orders. Create a different "identity" - don't use your real name. Create a credit history for this "person" and sign up for utilities in his/her name. If you have to sign for something, see if a friend or relative will sign it and have it in their name instead. Don't allow your computer to accept cookies and use Evidence Eliminator software so no one can see where you've been on the internet. Disable Java and Active X. These are just a few examples. I do believe that there are people who have had trouble with invasion of their privacy, but how far is the average American willing to go to protect their privacy? Is this really necessary? Wouldn't the focus of your life be on keeping your personal information very private? This book reminded me of what a spy would have to go through - or someone who really has something to hide. Mr. Hyatt, to his credit, doesn't advocate breaking the law, but at times, I think he walks a fine line. Legal, maybe? but is all this ethical? And you can bet that there are a lot of people writing similar books who encourage getting fake IDs, etc. The name Michael Hyatt might ring a bell in your mind. Mr. Hyatt wrote "The Millenium Bug" and several other books about Y2K. He became interested in "self-reliant living" and privacy issues through the research he did when writing the books about Y2K. In hindsight, of course, the problems Mr. Hyatt forecasted never came to pass. "The Millenium Bug" and similar books, helped fuel the panic and fear and paranoia that was such a part of our culture during 1998 and 1999. So, you might want to take that into account when making these decisions for yourself and your family.
Rating:
Summary: WHAT YOU READ MAY ASTOUND YOU...
Review: In today's society were we are certainly technology driven; we have access to unlimited information. The downside is, others also have unlimited information about us whether it be by legal or illegal means. We have all heard horror stories about what happens when unauthorized individuals or groups gain access via the computer highway to personal and financial information and our privacy is, indeed, invaded. It leaves the victim feeling vulnerable, frightened and psychologically terrorized. Identities have been forged, bank accounts emptied, medical records and other personal information accessed. What can you do to protect yourself and mimimize your risks? "Invasion of Privacy" can be classed as a "must read" for everyone, regardless of age or occupation. What you learn could protect your future. You can rest assured that in this modern-day, high-tech world, lurking somwhere among the computer network of highways and biways, you will find your name is nothing more than a succession of files waiting to be opened. The author reveals excellent strategies and suggestions on how to protect your privacy and minimize risks. Government agencies, banks, insurance companies, hospitals, retail stores, employers, schools, all have in-depth knowledge of you. If you combine all these files together, your whole life is virtually an infinite particle of cyberspace. After reading this book, you will think twice about the seemingly innocent information you give and have a better understanding of how to best protect yourself from cyper-invasion. "Invasion of Privacy" is well written, intriguing and highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: WHAT YOU READ MAY ASTOUND YOU...
Review: In today's society were we are certainly technology driven; we have access to unlimited information. The downside is, others also have unlimited information about us whether it be by legal or illegal means. We have all heard horror stories about what happens when unauthorized individuals or groups gain access via the computer highway to personal and financial information and our privacy is, indeed, invaded. It leaves the victim feeling vulnerable, frightened and psychologically terrorized. Identities have been forged, bank accounts emptied, medical records and other personal information accessed. What can you do to protect yourself and mimimize your risks? "Invasion of Privacy" can be classed as a "must read" for everyone, regardless of age or occupation. What you learn could protect your future. You can rest assured that in this modern-day, high-tech world, lurking somwhere among the computer network of highways and biways, you will find your name is nothing more than a succession of files waiting to be opened. The author reveals excellent strategies and suggestions on how to protect your privacy and minimize risks. Government agencies, banks, insurance companies, hospitals, retail stores, employers, schools, all have in-depth knowledge of you. If you combine all these files together, your whole life is virtually an infinite particle of cyberspace. After reading this book, you will think twice about the seemingly innocent information you give and have a better understanding of how to best protect yourself from cyper-invasion. "Invasion of Privacy" is well written, intriguing and highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Privacy Primer
Review: Michael Hyatt's book is a very comprehensive book on privacy. Privacy is an issue of great variance of importance to people. Some people are very private and some do not seem to care at all about their privacy. This range of concern is based on two factors. One is trust, if you trust who you give your information to and truse those organizations that use this information for various purposes you have a very high tolerance on privacy. The second is experience in events of privacy abuse, if you have never had your credit card number or identity used, or been stalked, you again will have a very high privacy tolerance. The strength of this book is that approaches privacy in degrees of the privacy you want to attain. The book has very current information and is supported by an even more up to date website. The book seems to lack much original thought or direction, but I think that is caused by the author offering such a wide range of resources to meet the wide range of privacy desired by the reader. The information of the book is well summarized and referenced into a series of "Practical Privacy Tips" lists and another "Complete Privacy Checklist" in the appendix. This book is a little shallow in technical areas, but that is because it is written for the general population. The reader with a high tech background will enjoy the range of choices provided. Another element of the book I enjoyed was the emphasis of having a family or business privacy plan. While privacy tolerance is a very private issue, a compromise plan needs to be developed for your household or office. This book is great privacy primer, I would have given it five stars, but I had problems with the emphasis on getting a lock box mailing address. The author did not emphasize enough the need to maintain that alternative address for a long time after you move to another location. Change of address notices only last six months and need to be renewed for several years. I know when I got my post office box the mail from the prior box users continued to be delivered including what appeared to be preapproved credit card notices. This minor flaw was out weighed by the quality and volume of information on protecting your privacy.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Privacy Primer
Review: Michael Hyatt's book is a very comprehensive book on privacy. Privacy is an issue of great variance of importance to people. Some people are very private and some do not seem to care at all about their privacy. This range of concern is based on two factors. One is trust, if you trust who you give your information to and truse those organizations that use this information for various purposes you have a very high tolerance on privacy. The second is experience in events of privacy abuse, if you have never had your credit card number or identity used, or been stalked, you again will have a very high privacy tolerance. The strength of this book is that approaches privacy in degrees of the privacy you want to attain. The book has very current information and is supported by an even more up to date website. The book seems to lack much original thought or direction, but I think that is caused by the author offering such a wide range of resources to meet the wide range of privacy desired by the reader. The information of the book is well summarized and referenced into a series of "Practical Privacy Tips" lists and another "Complete Privacy Checklist" in the appendix. This book is a little shallow in technical areas, but that is because it is written for the general population. The reader with a high tech background will enjoy the range of choices provided. Another element of the book I enjoyed was the emphasis of having a family or business privacy plan. While privacy tolerance is a very private issue, a compromise plan needs to be developed for your household or office. This book is great privacy primer, I would have given it five stars, but I had problems with the emphasis on getting a lock box mailing address. The author did not emphasize enough the need to maintain that alternative address for a long time after you move to another location. Change of address notices only last six months and need to be renewed for several years. I know when I got my post office box the mail from the prior box users continued to be delivered including what appeared to be preapproved credit card notices. This minor flaw was out weighed by the quality and volume of information on protecting your privacy.
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