It is as safe as YOU make it. Look into the forums page, and in the introduction section, read about security. Most issues arise from the poster, not the forum. AFN has not, nor will not give information to any agency. It is not based in the USA. So we are safe, and most user's are safe. The safest way to protect yourself in my opinion, so people can't just open your computer and look at your user name, is to log out, and don't keep the box selected to keep the information and password for automatic log in.