Privacy - things to do

What to do immediately:
>Install Firefox
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/
>Configure it securely
https://securityinabox.org/en/firefox_privacy_and_security
>Install HTTPS Everywhere
https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere

CHANGE YOUR PASSWORDS
This is a huge problem for most people as they often don't use unique or strong passwords.

Use a password manager like Keepass and/or the one built into Firefox. (Make sure to set a Master Password if they do that.)
Keepass also has the ability to create random passwords, so use this. Be sure to protect your master password and backup your database file or you'll have to reset them. Until you are comfortable using Keepass, I suggest you use a password you can remember for the email address associated with your online accounts in case you need to reset them.
http://keepass.info/
https://securityinabox.org/en/keepass_main

Even a password is sometimes not enough.
Turn on two factor authentication for sites that offer it
http://twofactorauth.org/

Less harmful software
https://prism-break.org/en/

Alternative email services
http://prxbx.com/email/

How to guides
https://securityinabox.org/en
http://en.flossmanuals.net/basic-internet-security/
https://ssd.eff.org/
https://pressfreedomfoundation.org/encryption-works
http://librarianshipwreck.wordpress.com/2013/06/11/its-only-futile-if-you-just-sit-there-a-resource-guide-for-protecting-your-privacy/
http://advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org/projects/guide/
https://blog.torproject.org/blog/mission-impossible-hardening-android-security-and-privacy

Testing Encryption

>SSL/TLS browser test
https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/viewMyClient.html
>SSL/TLS website test
https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/
>Email providers STARTTLS
https://starttls.info/
>XMPP Security
https://xmpp.net/index.php1

Leaving Google
https://kkinder.com/2013/05/21/leaving-googles-silo-alternatives-to-gmail-talk-calendar-and-more/
http://sufficientlysecure.org/index.php/2013/11/26/an-android-without-google/