What information exists about me online: The information about your home’s purchase price, household members, age, children, driving history, educational background, job, estimated income, shopping patterns, and any political associations you may hold is undeniably personal. Surprisingly, a simple search using your name and address is often all it takes for anyone to discover this information on the internet.

Thankfully, there are steps you can take to protect your privacy. But before you take any action, try this: input your name and address into a search engine and observe the results. Chances are, like most individuals, you’ll find numerous websites containing your personal information. Some websites provide basic details for free, while others offer more comprehensive data for a fee.