Every time we step out onto the internet, everywhere we go, a digital trail of information is left behind us. No matter how sneaky we try to be, or how securely we try to travel, data is left in our wake.
This is our "digital footprint." It’s defined by the the words we type, the actions we take, and the destinations we visit online. This is information you can use to protect yourself and your family.
Own it.
Each person needs to take ownership of their digital footprint. How you manage that footprint can determine how others perceive you, your actions, and your decision making. For example, more than 77% of employers review the social-media profiles of potential employees.
Every time you access someone else’s computer (each time you visit a webpage or click on a hyperlink), a record of your visit is created. The amount of detail in that data can be scary. There is a record of your physical address (IP address), time of day, the platform you’re using (phone, tablet, or computer), and even the version of the software you are using. All of this data is transmitted in the blink of an eye.
That history records everything you see - every page, every search criteria you enter, every photo, and every document - everything. Even the simple act of hovering your mouse over an object leaves behind a traceable trail of your behaviors.
While this information isn’t always readily available to consumers to discover, it is routinely sold on the internet to third parties. Often, that data is used to establish consumer profiles. This information helps to determine which advertisements show up while you are online. In short, there is close to zero privacy online.
Your digital footprint matters. So, how can you manage what others can see and discover?
Gary Davis, the Chief Consumer Security Evangelist for McAfee, offers these tips to help you control this data:
- Start Online Awareness Early—it’s easier to build a positive digital footprint from a young age, than to clean up a questionable presence later on. (When you consider that many kids get a smartphone at the age of 10, editing eight years of online activity before college could be a real chore!) Talk to your kids about the importance of giving a positive impression online before they engage. When you do decide to let your kids connect, make sure to use parental controls that limit the kinds of content they can access, and protects them from online threats.
- Be cautious about over-sharing—Yes, social media was made for sharing, but try to avoid venting online or engaging in heated arguments. If you have a problem with someone, talk it out offline.
- Turn off tagging—Just because you’re paying attention to your online reputation, doesn’t mean your friends are. Being “tagged” in photos or videos you didn’t post could leave you open to the wrong impressions. That’s why it’s best to turn off tagging in your social media settings.
- Keep positive content public—If you have a great online presence, sharing your accomplishments and skills, make sure to make the posts public. This goes for your social channels, as well as your professional profiles.
- Be yourself, but speak clearly and respectfully—Show your unique personality and creativity, since people respond to genuineness. Remember to be articulate in the process. Check posts for spelling or grammar errors before you hit “send”, and avoid offensive language. When commenting on other people’s posts, do it respectfully.
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM). Three times this month, we’ll take a look at life on the net. Later we’ll take a look at how to protect yourself and how to be proactive in securing your online interactions.