Instruct major mailing list companies to remove your name. Monroe Blvd., Taylor, Mich 48180-1814. N Ave., Nevada, Iowa 50201. By law, they must comply. Instruct businesses not to sell information about you.
Many companies now provide a check-off box on credit application forms.
If the company doesn't ask, tell them anyway. Do not send extremely personal information by e-mail unless it is encrypted. Instruct your children never to give out their real name and address on the Internet without your permission, and never to agree to meet anyone they meet on the Internet without your knowledge. If you do not want to create a database record of your purchases, pay with cash rather than a credit card. Do not give personal information such as address or phone number unless you are having merchandise shipped to you.