Have you ever felt like somebody is keeping an eye on you on the internet? Have you thought about how the internet seems to know precisely what it is that you're thinking about even though you haven't mentioned it to anyone? These might seem like coincidences, but they are not.  In fact, if you followed these questions, it would probably lead to the same answer: digital footprint. But what is it?

Every time you go online, you leave a digital footprint. Small traces of whatever you do – whether you browse, post, or just click – are left behind. Your digital footprint includes all your activities and information, which are obtained through your browsing history, app usage, and location data amongst other sources.

Websites themselves use cookies to track your online activity. Cookies are small pieces of data stored on your device that help websites remember things like your browsing history, login details, or preferences. Most of the time, these sites ask for your permission before using the cookies. While cookies do improve your experience of using the internet, they enable websites to monitor your activities and tailor advertisements according to your interests. 

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Another way of tracking your digital footprint is by saving personal information such as login and payment details across different platforms. For example, you may not have to sign in every time you visit Facebook or insert payment details every time you shop online.

These things might make your internet journey smooth. However, nothing on the internet is truly free. Companies track down their user's digital footprint for revenue-generating purposes. They market their target products according to the user's digital footprint, making your data a marketable asset to different companies.

What makes this entire process so gravely concerning is the fact that your digital footprint is tied to your privacy, security, and even reputation. The things you do online can be picked up by advertisers, future employers, and even cybercriminals. This can sometimes spill over into your real life, shaping opportunities or causing problems.

While having zero digital footprint is impossible, you can take simple steps to reduce the trail you leave behind and stay in control of your online identity. To do so, you must maintain basic internet hygiene by using separate emails for home, school, and work. This helps you to protect your privacy and keep things organised. It is also important that you're cautious of what you share on social media or any other platform. Your posts and data might be more public and permanent than you think. 

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Furthermore, most browsers, apps, and devices are designed to store and use your data to enhance user experience. So, take the time to check your settings, adjust them to protect your privacy, and think twice before granting new permissions. If you are interested in enhancing your online experience without compromising privacy, you can use dedicated tools. There are plenty of options that can help safeguard your digital footprint and give you more control over what information service providers can have access to.

Another way to protect your digital footprint is by deleting cookies and cache. Regularly cleaning up helps reduce the amount of data third parties can collect about you. To decrease the risk of data breaches, get rid of accounts you no longer use. Keeping old accounts adds to your digital footprint and can give you an easy way to access your information since you might not be keeping an eye on them for unusual activity.

Taking care of your digital footprint is like maintaining a clean online presence. If you're on the internet in any capacity, you will leave some trail behind. Nonetheless, you can always reduce it and take control of things companies know about you. What tools you use and how you access the internet depends mostly on you. With a little effort, you can enjoy the internet while keeping your personal space safe.

Reference:

Internet Society (October 22, 2024). Take a Step Towards Privacy: Understanding Digital Footprints.