Understanding Your Digital Footprint: What It Is and Why It Matters

Nowadays most of the activities we do are online, whether it is a payment watching a movie, or ordering something. To perform these activities we install some apps or enter into a website.

When we are registering ourselves we fill in some personal details and we do the same on social media by putting all our life on it. These pieces of information and media are known as digital footprints. 

In this article, we will learn about What is Digital Footprints and How Does It Matter?

Let’s Get Started.

Introducing Digital Footprint?

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 collected 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. 

Must Protect Your Footprints?

It is necessary to save your digital footprints because it’s your personal 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 used for some adult sites or your number can be used 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.

Source: Radarro.com