It’s almost impossible to get rid of personal information from some devices, even if you follow the manufacturer’s directions for wiping the device clean.

Saying goodbye to your bank: Thinking of breaking up with your big bank? You’re not alone. If you’re looking for a new financial partner, choices abound. But for a good match, you’ll have to put in the effort.

Photo: Credit unions such as LA Financial, open to any Los Angeles County resident, are an alternative to banks. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

How to boost privacy in the face of Facebook’s new features: There are ways to opt out of Facebook’s share-it-all revolution. You can control some aspects of apps, the Ticker and Timeline.

How to minimize the risks of using free public WiFi hot spots: Surfing the Internet with a public WiFi connection can expose your laptop or tablet computer to digital eavesdroppers and malicious hackers. Here are some ways to protect yourself.

Photo: Adam Sold uses WiFi at a Starbucks in San Francisco. One of the most effective ways to protect against hacking is to use secure connections. Credit: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Here are steps to opt out of social ads, refuse promotional content from partners and stop sharing personal data with third-party applications.

What this article doesn’t tell you: How to work up the willpower to quit. But if you are looking to take a break, here’s how.