Even as careful as you try to be, there are so many breaches of information at companies that are supposed to keep it secure that maintaining an online security surveillance account (where they keep track of changes on your credit record, new accounts, etc.) is a good idea. I am a member of a couple of organizations that offer those services as part of membership (AAA and AARP). This is only one aspect of online privacy, but trying to prevent identity theft is something everyone needs to be aware of.