Understanding and Managing your Digital Footprint

Read Time: 2 minutes.

“Digital footprint”, “digital shadow” or “online footprint”, these are terms you have probably heard before. But what do these terms mean and what does it mean for your digital privacy?

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What is it?

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Every website, app, or forms you have ever used has left a footprint online. This footprint, when pieced together, paints a picture of who you are. This can be made accessible to anyone.?

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Your active digital footprint is made up of data that you choose to share. This would be things like posting on social media platforms.?

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Your passive digital footprint is data you aren’t always aware is being tracked. This includes things like location, IP address, and what you click on.?

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Some dangers of a digital footprint are that it can: reveal religious/political affiliations, can damage your online reputation, can influence your loan eligibility, your information can be exploited, and you get more spam emails/phone calls.?

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Though your digital footprint can never be completely erased, there are ways to protect and limit it.

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8 Ways to Protect your Digital Footprint:

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1.??Delete negative content.

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Keep your content clean. Delete anything that paints you in a negative light. Cancel culture is a real problem facing the internet community today, and it is one you don’t want to be a part of. It only takes seconds to destroy your reputation.

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2.??Consider what you post.

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Your social media is a visual reflection and representation of who you are. Think twice before you post. Ask yourself if this is really something you want to share with the world?

3.??Adjust your privacy settings.

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Your digital privacy is important. Remember to adjust your settings to private if you don’t want everyone to see your content.

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4.??Protect your passwords.

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The last thing you want is to be hacked. Keep your passwords and personal information in a safe place that can’t be reached.

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5.??Set a Google Alert for your name.

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Setting a Google Alert for your name allows you to stay up to date about anything that may be released about you. This helps you stay up to date and aware of your digital image.

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6.??Use strong passwords.

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Passwords are one of the greatest assets in protecting your information. Yes, we know “1234” is easy to remember but it’s not the strongest password. Alternating your passwords on different accounts can also reduce the chances of being hacked.

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7.??Check your browser for cookies.

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Cookies let websites remember you, your website logins, shopping carts and more. Most cookies are safe, however some can track you without your consent. Check your web browser for any cookies being used.

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8.??Avoid public Wi-Fi.

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Yes, we love free Wi-Fi as much as the next person. However, since anyone can join a public Wi-Fi network, you have no idea who is watching or intercepting your online data.?

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Conclusion

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Your digital footprint matters. Always think before you click.?

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