Nowadays we are doing everything online, whether it is searching for something, making any payment, or doing our office work. We use the internet for every small task which is very beneficial for us as it reduces the time and energy taken but it also has some drawbacks.
When we use the internet or any online service we expose some of our details in the online world which opens the door for cybercrimes. When we visit any site or download any it asks for our details like number, name, email ID, and others. We fill in this information without even thinking twice, which results in us leaving digital footprints for hackers.
What is a Digital Footprint? It describes all data and information that individuals create during internet interactions. People generate digital footprints when they interact with the internet through all their activities from social media to purchase logs and website visits to their communication and data exchange. Active digital footprints exist from data that people share intentionally yet passive footprints form through a passive collection of data including cookies. The protection of privacy in addition to cybersecurity improvement and the development of online reputation demands everyone to maintain management of their digital footprints.
In this article, we will discuss digital footprints and ways to save ourselves from hackers.
Let’s get started.
What Is Digital Footprint?
Whenever we use the internet we leave digital footprints behind without knowing it. When we post on social media, when we shop from any site or app, when we write any feedback or reviews, or when we fill in any personal details. All these things are counted as digital footprints,
Sometimes you leave them without even knowing like when you download any app and give them permission of location, media, and others, they collect your data personal data without informing you.
There are two different types of digital footprints, the first is active and the second is passive.
Active Digital Footprint
Active digital footprints refer to those activities that are done by you on your own. It includes posting photos, videos, or any media on your social media account or allowing cookies to any website. If you register in any app or website then it will leave an active digital footprint.
Passive Digital Footprint
Passive digital footprint refers to that situation when your information is being collect by any source without your permission and without informing you. This often happens when you visit an unreliable site or you download an unsafe app. They trace your IP address and collect your personal information. This is more threatening for you because it is done by non-reliable sources and there high chance that you might become a victim of cybercrime.
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Why Is It Important To Protect Your Footprints?
It is necessary to save your digital footprints because it’s your data and you can’t risk it. If you don’t protect it then it may lead to some serious issues. Your data can be used for some illegal purposes which can result in some legal trouble.
Your photos can be use for some adult sites or your number can be use for some illegal activities, if you want to avoid these things, you must hide your digital footprints.
How To Hide Digital Footprints?
There are simple ways to hide your digital footprints and protect your data.
You must avoid oversharing on social media. Stop posting every single detail of your life on social media because it helps criminals to track your activities and execute their crimes according to it.
The second thing is to avoid using unsafe and unreliable apps and sites. Prefer using trusted and popular sites which reduces the chances of crime.
Reference: Radarro.com
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