Most internet users would like to be anonymous online, but many think it is not possible to be completely anonymous online. Many internet users have experienced problems because others stole their personal information or otherwise took advantage of their visibility online.

You should be able to prevent that! And you can, in many ways, you just can't allow yourself to be lazy. 

Why You Should Care About and Defend Your Privacy

Fundamentally, all data on the Internet falls into two broad categories: private and encrypted, or nonencrypted, publicly readable clear text.

When you sign onto Facebook or Google, for example, you give both implicit and explicit permission to the respective Internet service provider to use part or all of the data associated with your activities in the manner specified by their Privacy Statement and Terms of Service agreement. Each ISP has them. Read them and determine if they are acceptable.

5 Ways to Improve Your Privacy Online - This text has great advice on how to protect yourself. Read it!

Use a browser made by the Tor Project or a paid VPN (for virtual private network) link, or a personal hotspot.

You Are Responsible for Your Own Internet Privacy

The idea that governments or security agencies like NSA look over our Internet connections and our web traffic is no longer a surprise. That's why every user of Internet should arm himself with knowledge on how to protect his data.