You’re Leaving an Internet Footprint!

In today’s digital age, our every move and doings on the Internet is recorded and stored, it will remain on the web forever! Be careful where and what you do online… It’s leaving quite a footprint that can easily be traced back to you! 

Every action and habit we create online from our social media profiles, online shopping habits, search history and virtual places you’ve been on the Internet are constantly leaving a trail of data behind. This digital trail is also known as the “Internet Footprint”. Just like personal belongings, it is becoming increasingly important to be aware of what we are leaving behind these days, especially something that we cannot hold physically – INFORMATION.

The concept of an internet footprint can be easily translated to the trail of data or information that a person leaves behind as we navigate when using digital devices like our smartphones, computers, and the Internet. This can include information as simple as name, phone number, address, credit card history, pictures, your favorite Netflix movies and a lot more than you think. Simply, we’re leaving a digital record of our activity!

The size of a person’s digital footprint can vary widely depending on their level of online activity on the Internet and to what extent they share personal information online to websites or platforms, both “voluntarily” and “involuntarily”. Information can be a positive bringing as some may be harmless or even beneficial if used right, such as positive social media content or well-curated information. While some information may be more sensitive or potentially harmful, such as financial data or embarrassing social media posts.

What’s the Big Deal of This Internet Footprint?

While this might not seem like a big deal at first, the truth is that the internet footprint can have a significant impact on our lives. For one thing, every information shared online can be used by websites and marketers to target you with advertising and that’s why probably your inbox is full of unwanted spam mails you don’t even know you had subscribed to. Another example is if we frequently search for products or type in related topics, you might start seeing ads for related products popping up all over the place across social media.

These internet footprints leave a huge trail tracing back to you, even the Internet algorithm can track you quite accurately. But it’s more than that! Not just advertisers who are interested in the Internet footprint. Law enforcement agencies, potential employers, and even online trolls can use this information to find out more about a person’s personal life. In some cases, this can lead to serious consequences, such as identity theft and cyberbullying. 

And how dangerous can it actually be and attack you? With technological advancement, nowadays it’s even easier for people to impersonate your persona using deepfake AI and exploit your identity into something illegal like threats and asking for ransom. As this sentence can’t get enough to say – information stored online is dangerous that it could be misused, exploited, and treated as a weapon in the wrong hands.

So, What Can You Actually Do to Minimize the Impact Back to You?

For starters, it is important for you to always be aware of your own digital footprint on the Internet and be more mindful of the information shared online, especially personal data and confidential details. Be careful of what you do on social media, what you watch, what you search, and even what you purchase. 

In addition, take control of the data that is collected about yourself. Many websites and services allow users to adjust their privacy settings, which can limit the amount of information that is shared with others, such as cookies. In addition, there are tools and apps available that can help us monitor our internet footprint and alert us to any potential privacy concerns.

Ultimately, it’s important to remember that your internet footprint is like your own reflection of who you are and what you do online. By taking steps to protect ourselves and our personal information, we can ensure that our digital presence is a positive one. So the next time you log on to the internet, remember that you’re leaving an internet footprint and take a step to manage and protect your online presence. It’s never too late! Curious to find out what type of training we could assist to keep you safe? Check with us for more details. Click HERE!