I'm not a big believer in much of anything the US government has to say but the State Dept does have a wealth of travel information which I use as a starting place.

Pretty simple...what wouldn't an opportunistic thief try steal...a mint container. It's my makeshift jewelry box & I keep an emergency bill inside too. But I've heard the classic altoids fit ipods pretty well.  You could even pad the container with a little bit of foam. However I prefer it to be loose & make sounds like there are actually mints inside. Of course this isn't fool proof, I'm guessing it works best against the sneak & grab type thieves who if they're going to grab one thing will target your camera instead of a random box of mints.

Someone at my hotel just had $900 stolen from her room. And most likely it was a French tourist that did it.

I'm less afraid of having stuff stolen from locale people than I am from other tourists. A local might see something you have, that they don't & if you're not looking, take it. A hotel maid might take something because it's right there, you won't discover its gone because you have all this other stuff you've just left around the room. But if the hotel owner finds out, he knows he makes money from tourists & so he fires her. In Zimbabwe, the maid was watched by a security guard. Clever, but it didn't make me feel that much better.

But there are tons of stories, especially on this, the beginner backpacking trail, of young 1st time travelers drinking their money away & then getting stuck... & to get unstuck they steal from other young travelers who's room they're invited into or who ignorantly don't lock their stuff. And if more than one person's stuck, they hold someone up using a swiss-army knive or just beat up the other traveler. Travelers know each others' secrets...they know about money belts & neck pouches...& use it to their advantage.

I always keep money in mulitple locations & have one location with enough money for the day so no one has to know where these other locations are. Which also keeps forced bribe amounts low too.

• Wear a Fake Wedding Ring
  Even if you're not married, consider wearing a wedding band. Not diamond or zircona, that'd be a target for thieves. Just a band... a lot of cultures think that an unmarried woman is always looking for a boyfriend or husband. I always, always wear one. It helps with men I'm not interested in & if I am interested, I discreetly slip it on my right hand.
  

• Never Open Your Hotel Room Door
  Not even for the hotel staff! There's numerous stories of women getting raped by hotel owners. Now if they're yelling "fire"... well, that's a different story.

• Room Service
  If you order room service, leave the empty tray by the room next door or across the hall. You don't want an intruder to know your alone.

• First Initial Only
  If you have a name like Susie, just use your initial. Your luggage tag doesn't need to tell everyone the address & phone number of a woman. And the hotel guest registration book doesn't need to let anyone who looks at it know there's a woman in room 3.

• Leave Jewelry at Home!
  A thief will still your fake stuff just as quickly as the real thing. Just don't bring it.

• Most importantly: Dress Appropriately!!!
  Before you leave find out what the local customs are & pack your travel wardrobe accordingly. You don't go to a conservative country with only shorts & tank tops... the one exception to this is if your going to be in a resort & not leave it... or if you're in a town with so many tourists that the local culture is no longer offended... but do the research before you leave!

Some good advice for women in general, not just travelers, on how to deter a rapist. And let me add that everyone should take a self-defense class if for no other reason than to build their confidence that they can fight back.

• Stay on top of the situation via the tv, radio or internet. If you can't get to any of these, ask friends, hotel staff, or anyone trustworthy to share with you any relevant information they learn. If it is safe to do so, contact your local embassy. In case of an emergency, advisories may be made to the general public through the media.
  
  
• Make sure that you are registered with your closest embassy or consulate. They actually could be of help & have been known to cordinate emergency air evacuations.
  
  
• When in large cities and other popular tourist destinations, avoid places frequented by westerners: bars, discos, & fast food restaurants associated with the US, branches of US banks, churches, westerm businesses & offices, US Consulates or Embassies.
  
  
• Keep away from areas known to have large concentrations of residents aligned with interests unfriendly to the US & its allies. You know what I'm trying to say...
  
  
• Blend in... be as inconspicuous in dress &  demeanor as possible. Wear dull colors & conservative clothing. Avoid American logos & obvious labels on your belongings & clothing.
  
  
• Avoid large, loud groups. Better to avoid groups altogether.
  
  
• Keep away from political demonstrations, particularly those directed toward the United Sates. If you see a situation developing, resist the temptation to satisfy your curiosity and investigate what is happening. Just walk away.
  
  
• Do not agree to newspaper or other media interviews regarding political conflicts. It is important to remain as inconspicuous as possible.

At the outset of a terrorist incident, the terrorists typically are tense, high-strung and may behave irrationally.  It is extremely important that you remain calm and alert and manage your own behavior.

Avoid resistance and sudden or threatening movements.  Do not struggle or try to escape unless you are certain of being successful.  Don't try to be a hero, endangering yourself and others.

Consciously put yourself in a mode of passive cooperation.  Talk normally.  Do not complain, avoid belligerency, and comply with all orders and instructions.

If questioned, keep your answers short.  Don't volunteer information or make unnecessary overtures.

Make a concerted effort to relax.  Prepare yourself mentally, physically and emotionally for the possibility of a long ordeal.

Try to remain inconspicuous, avoid direct eye contact and the appearance of observing your captors' actions.

Avoid alcoholic beverages.  Eat what they give you, even if it does not look or taste appetizing, but keep consumption of food and drink at a moderate level.  A loss of appetite and weight is normal. 

If you are involved in a lengthier, drawn-out situation, try to establish a rapport with your captors, avoiding political discussions or other confrontational subjects.

Establish a daily program of mental and physical activity.   

Think positively.  Avoid a sense of despair.  Rely on your inner resources.  Remember that you are a valuable commodity to your captors.  It is important to them to keep you alive and well.