Understanding Digital Footprints
Jun 17
/
Juan Gonzalez
The image above depicts civilians utilizing their smartphones, in which they are leaving several digital footprints.
What is a digital footprint?
A digital footprint is the trail of information you leave behind when using the internet, including your browsing history, social media activity, and online purchases. This footprint can be active, such as when you post a comment or share a photo, or passive, like when websites track your activity without you directly interacting. Understanding and managing your digital footprint is important because it can impact your privacy, online reputation, and even future opportunities such as college admissions or job applications.
Source: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmQGq_FNBpE&t=1s
Why does it matter?
Every time you use the internet; you’re leaving behind your
digital footprint. This can be your personal information, preferences, or maybe
your location.
Your digital footprint can include information you
voluntarily share or information that is collected in the background like
cookies.
Understanding your digital footprint is important for
protecting your privacy, your online reputation, and staying safe in the
digital world.
What kind of digital footprints exist?
Active Digital Footprint
Information you voluntarily
share online.
Passive Digital Footprint
Information collected from you involuntarily on the internet.
Both types of digital footprints make up your online identity.
This can affect how others see and interact with you on the internet. This is
why it’s important to be aware of what you share and do on the internet.
Where Do Digital Footprints Come From?
Digital Footprints can be made from various activities.
Either directly or indirectly, every activity is leaving a trace and can be
used to collect data about you.
Common sources include:
Websites Visited
Websites can see what device your using, what
you click on, and from where you are connecting from.
Social Media Activity
What you like, share, comment, message, or post on
social media will be tied to your profile.
Online shopping
Learn the tools used by the world's top professionals.
Emails and Messaging Apps
When you send an email or message, it is typically
timestamped, and your device information can be saved.
Mobile apps and GPS usage
Apps can collect data such as your GPS location
and track your location even when your phone is off.
Why does a Digital Footprint Matter?
Your digital footprint is essentially your online identity. Employers can look you up and possibly find your social media profiles to determine if you’re the right candidate. Outdated content about you can affect your reputation and almost impossible to remove completely.
Privacy concerns
You should know that the data you share online
or leave behind can be compromised, misused, or shared/sold.
Targeted advertising
Products you view online, or your search history can be used for creating personalized advertising.
Security risks
Malicious attackers can use your leaked data such as your name or email address to conduct phishing attacks or identity theft.
Online reputation
Old posts can resurface and affect your reputation or affect your employability.
Managing and
Minimizing Your Digital Footprint
Your entire digital history can’t be erased but with good practices, you can begin to take control of your future. Being mindful of things such as your social media posts, online engagement, or managing your privacy settings can help reduce your digital footprint.
Here are some ways you can start:
Think before you post
Don’t post something you’ll regret and remember that once something is posted, it is difficult to erase completely.
Check privacy settings
Review
your privacy settings in your social media apps, browsers, or apps to limit the
activity or data you share.
Reject unnecessary cookies
Limiting the cookies you accept will reduce tracking, protect your privacy, and prevent third parties from building a profile of you based on your browsing habits.
Tools you can use:
Virtual Private Networks
Research online and find a suitable VPN to encrypt your online traffic.
Secure Search Engines
A search engine like DuckDuckGo won’t track your searches unlike Google or Bing.
AD
Blockers
Consider adding an adblocker extension to your web browser to remove advertisements
from websites.
Requesting Data Removal
You
can search and contact online data brokers to remove your data from via an opt-out process.
Conclusion
While it’s almost impossible to avoid leaving a digital
footprint when using the internet, understanding how you create one gives you
the control to minimize your digital footprint. Always be mindful of the information
you share and use the tools available to reduce your online presence and
control your online identity. Now that you know what makes up your digital
footprint, it’s up to you to shape your future online identity.
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