Private Post – Not to be read by the public

Hi everyone,

I am trying to create a private page that can only be accessed by direct link.

I am thinking that I want to use private post with a Category of something like “Private Post”

But, I am wondering if this is a Rube Goldberg type complicated way to do something that should be easy.

I want to make sure that the Meta category data at the bottom of my standard template posts do not appear so that someone could not click the “Private Post” category and see ALL of the posts in the “Private Post” category.

So, I am thinking I need to use a conditional tag that can recognize that the post is in the “Private Post” category then use a different template for that post.

That seems pretty complicated a way to do things but looking through the Codex I can’t find an easier way.

So, what is the easiest way to:

1) Make a private post that can only be accessed by direct link or typing URL into browser

2) Will NOT display any category information at the bottom of the post

AND

3) Will not appear in any Category links or through the Search button

Thanks in advance for all of your help.