Advanced digital technology and the prevalence of high-speed internet have provided ease and accessibility in modern life. However, it has also unearthed vulnerabilities that endanger people’s privacy and information.
Using digital technology is unavoidable these days—in fact, it is nearly impossible to go through one day without it. Most actions have become reliant on gadgets, mobile apps, and similar tech. Banking, shopping, and even signing in at work now require people to give up personal information.
Many people don’t realise that this ease of accessibility of dozens, even hundreds of digital platforms creates footprints that can lead to invasions of privacy.
What is a digital footprint?
A digital footprint is electronic data that users leave behind with every action they take online.
Digital footprints can be created actively and passively. Active footprints are traces of electronic data users deliberately share on social media sites, such as uploaded content.
Passive digital footprints consist of data the user may not be aware is being collected. This includes IP addresses, browsing history, location, and more.
The collection of digital data is considered necessary because it ensures a smooth, hassle-free online experience. For example, if you have previously purchased items from a certain eCommerce store, you can easily go back and buy more things without having to sign up and enter your payment information.
Tracking of online behavior also measures user experience on each website, the frequency of the visit or activity, and user preferences. These are crucial metrics for brands.
How your digital footprint endangers your privacy
Unfortunately, all content and information we share online can be traced by anyone with the skill and tools to fish them out. Things that are meant to be private can be accessed without your permission and may even be used against you.
Cybercriminals use phishing and hacking to steal passwords, identities, and social media accounts using the digital information they trace online. They can use this information to steal your identity and proceed to perform transactions in your name without your knowledge.
Managing your online security and digital footprint
Fortunately, you can take measures to minimize your digital footprint and prevent hackers and phishers from tracing your information.
Here are the easiest ways to do so:
Implement tighter security settings
When creating an account for a website, social media platform, or mobile app, you have several options to manage privacy settings. Choose the most restrictive options to minimise your digital footprint.
For example, on Facebook, you can limit the number of people who can see your posts, videos, and profile. Doing this ensures that any information you post can only be viewed by those within your privacy parameters—your circle of trust.
This can also protect you from spam, unnecessary pop-up advertisements, and scammers.
Use a VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) creates a protected connection to the internet. It uses encryption technology to disguise your location and IP address to hide your online activity.
Using a VPN makes it harder for hackers and phishers to track your activities online and steal your data. All you need to do is choose the best VPN provider that suits your needs. These days, you can find plenty of free or affordable options, and even take it one step further by implementing a VPN on your iPhone or Android phone.
Restrict mobile app permissions
Many people have apps on their phones that can access their photos, messages, and personal files. And each time they use it, the app owner can technically access all that digital information.
Consider the kind of app you are using, and restrict its access to your data. Many apps do not need to access any of your information to function correctly.
Limit your online accounts
Many people maintain several emails and social media accounts, perhaps thinking that using a different email for each account will provide more security. However, creating multiple accounts can lead to an even bigger digital footprint that connects all of them and leads to you.
Whether it’s a social media site you will barely use or a new email address for an app you want to install on your phone, consider why you need an account before creating one. Limiting your online accounts and generating a smaller digital footprint that will be hard to trace is much safer.
If you need to create a new account, always enable multi-factor authentication. This keeps your account safe from hackers because it increases your digital security by creating a second layer of password protection before anyone else can access your data.
Think before you connect online accounts
If a company asks you to register on their website using your email address or one of your social media accounts, do your due diligence first. Make sure the website is legitimate and that you truly need to sign up to avail of their product or service.
Linking your account to register for an app or website gives these companies access to your personal information. While they are legally bound to never use that data for malicious activity, that doesn’t mean you will always be safe.
Once you sign up with them, they can track all of your online activities through that account. They will know about your shopping preferences and browsing history and will collect data on your interests and behavior.
Protect your online privacy today
If you want to find out how much information people can find about you, look up your name and phone number and see what comes up. The more accounts, photos, posts, and mentions in the search results, the bigger your digital footprint.
Delete all unnecessary accounts and unsubscribe from newsletters that you do not need. Install antivirus and firewall software to protect your system, and use a secure VPN to disguise your online data.
You don’t have to quit using technology to hold hackers and cybercriminals at bay. You only need to follow these security and safety tips to use technology safely.
Thank you to Cybernews for contributing to this article.