Just because the information is asked, doesn't mean you have to provide the real thing. When it comes to billing information, yes, but personal information about yourself just to use a forum or to look at a gallery or to download a freebie, no.

Also, just a piece of good advice based on something a friend told me about a few weeks ago.  When you register at a site, don't use the same password as your email address or bank login! Case in point. My friend has an MSN Group and one of her managers registered at the website of a former member of that group who left on bad terms.  The girl was foolish enough to use her main password, and the site owner took that information and was able to use it to gain access to my friend's MSN Group and delete it. 

Always use different passwords. Keep a record of them by your computer or in a notepad file (I use a notepad file).

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi