Understanding Digital Footprints

What Is a Digital Footprint?

A digital footprint is the trail of data created by a person or organization online, including both active and passive data.

More about?

• Digital footprints affect privacy, cybersecurity, reputation, and compliance.
• They are created online and offline and can enable tracking and profiling.
• Footprints include active posts and passive tracking by sites.
• Spear phishing targets individuals using personalized scams.
• Protect your footprint with strong passwords, privacy settings, and careful sharing.
• Pros include fraud detection and personalization; cons include privacy loss and misuse.
• Your footprint can influence job opportunities and employer decisions.
• Public social media activity can affect professional opportunities.

Significance

• Your digital footprint follows you throughout your life.
• Posts and comments shape your online reputation.
• Social media content can be misinterpreted.
• Colleges and employers review digital footprints.
• Hackers can use footprints for phishing or identity theft.
• Large digital footprints increase vulnerability to cybercrime.

How to Minimize Your own Digital Footprint

• Utilize a VPN
• Be mindful of your internet activity
• Pay attention to which sites you allow to accept cookies
• Frequently clear your cache
• Avoid shady links