The author of this column describes several instances in which secure data on computers were compromised. In each of these instances, a different route was involved in gaining access to the secure data--one by office-based theft, one by hacking, and one by burglary. Is is proposed that the most difficult factor to guarantee in the protection of secure data is the manner in which we choose to use computers on a daily basis, and that this can only be countered by education and outreach. Outside of just increasing watchfulness (hardware and backup security, schedules and check-ups), the author proposes three additional activities to help protect data security: (1) User orientation; (2) Web and poster news; and (3) Determination of how much information is actually needed and storing as little as possible.