These days, many people have turned to the Internet as their primary resource for information. Unfortunately, the internet does not only distribute information; it collects it too. Every time you use the internet to browse, communicate, or publish content, you leave behind a trail of data that takes shape as a digital footprint.
If you are concerned about your online activity, how much of your information is out there, and how it represents you, there are ways that you can manage that. You can reduce your digital footprint, become less visible online, and improve your online security by taking these seven steps.
1.Delete or deactivate old accounts
If you still have active accounts on social networks and shopping sites that you hardly use, deactivate, close, or remove them. Delete any old email accounts that you haven't used for years, as well as social media accounts that you no longer use.
You can choose to use the Right to be Forgotten to remove any outdated or inaccurate data about yourself. You can engage a service provider like Redact to remove all the content you wish to delete from your profile or other people’s streams. Click here for details.
2.Double-check your privacy settings
Create boundaries on your social media streams by regulating who can access your information and see your posts. Control what remains in your private sphere and what can be accessed by the public. You can accomplish this by going through the privacy settings on each forum and taking advantage of that while still recognizing that they are not infallible.
3.Keep your software up to date
Virus and malware programs are designed and constantly updated to mine your digital footprint. You can protect yourself by ensuring that you continue updating your antivirus and software programs. Older and outdated software is more vulnerable to hacking attacks.
4.Use different email addresses for professional and personal accounts
Most hiring managers use tools that retrieve all social media accounts linked to your official email address. Separate your social profile from your official one since you do not wish your social media activities to interfere with your corporate image.
5.Create strong, memorable passwords
When prompted to create a password on your social platforms, select one that combines letters, numbers, and symbols, making it hard to crack. Avoid popular choices like spouse names, favorite pets, birthdays, and anniversaries. The goal here should be creating a password that is hard for anyone else to guess but easy for you to remember.
6.Avoid oversharing
Refrain from sharing negative and questionable content online, as it all forms your digital footprint. If you know it does not align with the kind of impression you want your family, boss, and other stakeholders to have of you, don’t post it.
7.Review your mobile device
Mobile phone devices hold a great deal of personal information. To limit access to your phone by other people, have a lock pattern or password. Review apps and go through their fine print from time to time, checking their privacy and information sharing settings. Watch out for suspicious apps on your smartphone.
Some of these apps mine personal information like your location, email, contacts, camera, and online activities. If you don’t need some of these apps, delete them. If an app requests access to your information, make sure to decline.
Endnote
Think of your digital footprint as an extension of your personality. Be careful about what you comment on, like, or share on your social platforms, as these paint an image of yourself to the world. Don’t be reckless with your online interactions and activities; keep your digital footprint on the positive side.
