Top tips is a weekly column where we highlight what’s trending in the tech world and list ways to explore these trends. This week, we’re looking at how you can reduce the amount of data you share online and minimize your digital footprint.
How would you like it if someone followed you throughout the day, noting every single action you perform, every place you visit, and every interaction you have? Think about it; isn’t this exactly what happens when you use the internet? Sure, it may be a bit of an oversimplification, but the truth is, anonymity on the internet is non-existent.
Every single action you perform, every page you visit, and every interaction you have generates data. This unique trail of data you leave in the wake of your browsing sessions—intentional or not—is known as a digital footprint and can be traced to you.
Your footprint can be active, like when you post on social media or sign up for an account. Or it can be passive, when websites silently track your behavior through cookies, geolocation data, and other hidden trackers.
In an era of privacy concerns and rampant data collection, are you revealing too much about yourself online, either through social media posts or a general lack of awareness when it comes to online data-collection practices? We’re exploring four ways you can minimize your digital footprint to ensure your browsing habits are as anonymous as can be.
1. Be extremely selective with how and where you share your data
Of course, when making use of certain internet services, you may be required to sign up for an account on their website. But before you do that, pause for a bit and think to yourself, do you really need to use this service? What kind of information is being requested? Is it really worth sharing this information? Remember, when you share your data with an organization, there’s always a possibility it may be misused. It could also be stolen in the event of a breach. Look for alternatives to these services that don’t involve sharing your data whenever possible.
2. Exercise caution when using social media
In this day and age, your social media use forms a major and easily accessible part of your digital footprint. Your social media activity can say a lot about you as a person, your interests, and habits. Avoid sharing too much information about yourself on social media. Remember, the internet does not forget, and any post or comment you make could be shared or even misused by someone else. Some organizations also look through social media activity when screening a candidate for a job, and the last thing you need is for them to come across an embarrassing or offensive comment you made ten years ago.
3. Delete old accounts
Having several different online accounts can greatly expand your digital footprint. Older email, social media, and other online accounts that you don’t use still contain a considerable amount of traceable data and form an unnecessary record of your past browsing habits. Deleting these accounts is the way to go when you’re trying to minimize your digital footprint.
4. Use a VPN
Using a reliable and effective VPN service is a surefire way to ensure that you’re minimizing your passive digital footprint. The encryption capabilities of these services add a layer of security to your browsing activity, making it that much harder to track your activity online. Of course, when you choose to share your data online, it’s an entirely different story, but using a paid, well-known, and trusted VPN service can prevent websites from secretly tracking your activity.
No traces left behind
It’s unrealistic to expect total anonymity when using the internet. No matter how careful you are, all online activity leaves some trace. However, by reducing the amount of personally identifiable information you expose, you can dramatically improve your privacy, security, and overall digital wellbeing.
