Internet Safety: What Is a Digital Footprint?
The amount of data we generate has rapidly increased as more of our everyday tasks go digital. On average, each person created 1.7 megabytes of data every second in 2020. We often have to provide companies with information about us to access products and services online.
This information creates a digital footprint about us. Our digital footprints allow companies to provide us with a better experience online. But, criminals could steal this information.
So what is a digital footprint? Read on to understand your digital footprint and what you can do to protect your information online.
What Is a Digital Footprint?
A digital footprint is a record of your online activity. It includes your internet history, the data you share, and any trace you leave. Your digital footprint can be used to get a picture of you as a person and your interest.
You can think of your digital footprint like footprints on the beach. You leave impressions behind as you walk. But, while the water will wash away your footprints on the beach, your footprints remain on the internet.
When you provide information online, it adds to your digital footprint. So when sharing data online, it is essential to remember that it will stay on the internet.
How Does Your Digital Footprint Grow?
There are two ways you can add to your digital footprint, actively and passively.
Your active digital footprint is where you directly share data online. When you post on social media or write a review, you add to your digital footprint. Filling out an online form or signing up for a newsletter also increases your information online.
When you accept cookies from a website, that is an active addition to your digital footprint. But, there are other hidden ways that companies track your information when you visit their website. Websites collect information like the number of times you visit and your IP address.
Advertisers and social media sites also track your likes and comments. They use this digital footprint information to show you more relevant ads and content.
Why Does Your Online Footprint Matter?
If you lose or delete the information stored on your computer’s hard drive, you can recover it through the data recovery process. Your digital footprint is similarly tricky to delete.
Since information is relatively permanent, you have to be careful about what you post online as it could impact your reputation. Information in your data footprint can be manipulated and stolen by hackers. They can then use this information for phishing scams or stealing your identity.
Tips to Protect Your Digital Footprint
You should value your personal information and be careful about disclosing it. When protecting your digital footprint, it’s best to start with a search to see what information is available about you online. The data you find is difficult to remove, so be mindful when sharing information online that you don’t overshare.
Avoid unsafe websites and don’t share data over unprotected public wifi. You should also look at the privacy settings on the websites you use to limit the data others can see. These steps can protect your information from falling into the wrong hands.
Stay Vigilant About Your Online Privacy
Your digital footprint is made of data collected actively and passively that provides a picture of who you are. If you use the internet in any capacity, you leave information traces behind. Now that you understand what is a digital footprint, you can manage those traces and protect your privacy.
Do you want to stay informed about the latest ways to protect yourself online? Keep tabs on our blog!
