Top 10 ways to protect your privacy and avoid the government’s prying eyes

Be careful what you do online. The government is proposing web snooping plans to monitor, record and understand every site you visit, every email you send, and even every phone call you make.

These plans have been met with howls of derision and dissension, with everyone from the inventor of the web Sir Tim Berners-Lee and the co-founder of Google, Sergey Brin, bemoaning this growing censorship from governments.

To help, V3 has put together a list of ways to help you avoid the prying eyes of the government, and any other nefarious sorts, so you can stay safe online. And it's just in time for the security industry's annual Infosec bash in London. Perfect.

Honorary mention: Wear a tin foil hat

The tin foil hat is a terrible way to keep the sun off, but in some circles it's the best way to keep the heat away.

As protection against gloating alien proctologists, black op helicopters, 'the Man', internal voices and talkative dogs, it is unbeaten.

It is also very cheap. All it needs is a few sheets of tin foil - we recommend using new sheets as opposed to the one off the grill - a few careful folds and a head to fit it on.

Any good conspiracy theorist or paranoiac will have measured themselves for such headgear at some time in their lives, and while some will favour a bowl or pointed style others, while others may opt for the pirate or cowboy.

Because tin foil hats have become the source of some derision, we would suggest that the simpler style you choose the better.

The important thing, however you style your hat, is that you keep it on at all times when you are not under some other form of other protection.

This will ensure that no government brain-wave penetration signals can read your thoughts, steal your ideas and tell you over and over again that "You Love the State, You Love the State, You Love the State".