DIGITAL FOOTPRINTS.

 WHAT IS A DIGITAL FOOTPRINT?

A digital footprint is a trail of data that shows your online activities. The information you make available online voluntarily (such as a post on social media, an email or an online purchase) combined with the information that is collected automatically (such as your browsing history, IP address and location) leave a trail which provides a wealth of information about your online activities. A digital footprint can be a strong tool to assist in building a career or to damage one’s reputation. They can impact our privacy by revealing information that we may not want to be made public. Your digital footprint shows the lasting record of your online activities and how you are perceived by others in the online world.

TYPES OF DIGITAL FOOTPRINTS

A) ACTIVE DIGITAL FOOTPRINTS

B) PASSIVE DIGITAL FOOTPRINTS

A)Active Digital Footprint The information you choose to make available through your technology choices. For example, every time you post on social media, send an email, fill out a web form, or upload a picture, you are creating an active digital footprint because you are choosing to actively create the information.

B) Information we get from you without asking While this information isn’t created by your actions, it is still generated from your online existence. Passive Digital Footprint refers to information collected without you being involved in the process of creation. Like how a particular site may install a cookie so it can understand the way you use a particular site; how an app will store and report the locations to which you have traveled; or that your IP is recorded when your visit a web site. You did not directly make this information available online, but they are all fact and are contributed to your online profile.

PROS AND CONS OF THE DIGITAL FOOTPRINTS

• Positives:
• Builds professional visibility (e.g., LinkedIn profile).
• Helps businesses expand their brand reach.
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• Negative:
• Privacy risks: strangers can piece together personal info.
• Employers or advertisers may use it to judge or target you.

Examples

• Liking or commenting on social media.

• Browsing websites (tracked via cookies).

• Online shopping and payment records.

• Using GPS-enabled apps.

• Even offline actions like passing a security camera or paying tolls can create digital records.

MANAGING YOUR DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

Managing your digital footprint involves being mindful of what you share and what information others collect. First test for your digital footprint – see what comes up when you search your name. Try to delete any irrelevant, old accounts or blog entries. Also revisit your social media and app settings – you should be selective in who has access to the information you post. Be mindful of the information you share on the Internet: what you post, likes, comments etc. may be viewed by thousands or even millions of others around the world. Most can be easily deleted but sometimes what you post is retained by the Internet host eg Facebook. You should use a VPN to protect yourself from having your surfing behaviour tracked online and always deactivate ‘cookies’ whenever you can. Try to clean your browser history out from time to time too! You should also remember to always use safe passwords for your accounts and wherever possible – have two-factor authentication switched on. These measures will help keep your digital footprint safe, professional and under control.