data protection.
 

I've recently become all Identity fraud alert, so many storys I've heard about people being f*cked over by criminals who use their names to purchase thousands of pounds worth of goods or get approved for loans/CC.

To the point, I've started digitally archiving my personal letters, statements etc on a PC in pdf format and shredding originals. Can anyone advise if there is anything else I can do to protect this data. Only me and partner have access to the PC, but can anyone suggest any encryption programs or such? I've chose the XP "encrypt" option for the folder, but I'm unsure of what it does or how effective it may be. How does everyone else store sensitive data?

Read them, eat them. It's the only way to be sure.
After that, have no contact whatsoever with the outside world. Guaranteed safe.

passworded rar file. Not the best method I assure you. Also the password being 'asd' isn't exactly the most secure.

Put it on the PC - potentially hackable and all that remotely yada yada.
Paper in a safe place in your house - they actually have to break in to get it.
Honestly, you can make too big a thing about **** like this. Culture of fear and all that.

All electronic copies should be worked on and stored on a PC with no internet connection.

Keep all papers locked away in a well built file cabinet. Or burn them. Problem solved.

Here's something to make you sleep better at night.

When you call me about your cell phone bill I have sitting in front of my face your full name, driver's license number, social security number, address, and in some cases you've given us your spouse's name too.