5 Steps to Protect Our Digital Footprint
5 Steps to Protect Our Digital Footprint

5 Steps to Protect Our Digital Footprint

In this unit, we learned that in today’s digital age, our online presence is becoming increasingly important. From social media to online shopping, we leave a digital footprint everywhere we go. While this can be convenient, it can also be risky if we don’t take steps to protect our personal information. 

Your task is to apply what you have learned in this unit and recommend five steps to protect our digital footprint. 

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Johanna Ott (She/Her)
19 days ago

Five Steps to Protect Your Digital Footprint

  1. Use a strong password.
  2. Keep your passwords private. Never save passwords on any device that is going to be used my anyone other than you.
  3. Think before you click. Think to yourself do I know what I am clicking on? Did I read and understand what I am clicking on and/or am agreeing or disagreeing with? Is this website safe and appropriate? Would visiting this site change the way anyone thinks of me?
  4. Always use a secure network.
  5. Check privacy settings often.

Jean Miller
2 months ago

Five steps to protect our digital footprint are:

  1. Keep your password private. Do not share your password with anyone.
  2. Do not have your password automatically saved on a public computer.
  3. Before posting ask yourself the question, “Would I want my family and friends to see this?”
  4. Be more selective with who can see your social media information. Do not leave it accessible to the public.
  5. If you receive a message to click on an unknown link, then do not click on it. It could be a virus or a scam to get your personal information.
Mauricio (He)
2 months ago

Digital footprints are beneficial. They can enhance our time online by providing a more personalized, convenient experience—such as remembering our last food order or enabling us to receive targeted, exclusive offers that align with our interests. However, our digital footprint can also lead to various negatives, such as unwanted solicitations, decreased privacy, and identity theft. Cybercriminals can use our footprint to unleash more targeted, effective social engineering schemes, such as phishing attacks and other scams against us. These are my five steps to protect our digital footprint

1. Think Before We Click

Everything we post online will stay online. Avoid sharing personally identifiable information (PII) like our email address, phone number, IDs, and bank information on social media.

2. Adjust Our Privacy Settings

Most platforms’ default settings make our online presence public. Adjust our privacy settings, especially on social media platforms, to control what we can share to collect, use, and disclose our information. Some websites also harvest our personal information by gathering publicly available data from government records. Thankfully, there are several ways to remove or at least minimize our records on the internet.

3. Create A Google Alert for Our Name

Google Alerts sends email notifications to subscribers that compile information on search activity related to subscribed terms. Although this option will increase our footprint with Google, we can use this platform to alert ourselves whenever our name appears online so that we can delete unwanted ones made by other people.

4. Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi

Cybercriminals can steal sensitive information from unsecured networks like public Wi-Fi. Use a VPN (virtual private network) to secure our connection and location and block different malware and phishing attacks.

5. Limit the Amount of Data We Share

The best way to manage and secure our digital footprint is to become more vigilant about how much data we share online. Take a more critical look at any website we consider sharing our information with and determine whether the payoff is worth it.

 

Yrka Paula (She/her)
2 months ago

In today’s digital world, protecting your digital footprint is crucial to protecting your identity, data, and privacy. Here are five steps to help you protect your digital footprint:

1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Make strong, one-of-a-kind passwords that combine letters, numbers, and symbols to safeguard your accounts. To safely store passwords, use a password manager. To provide an additional degree of security to critical accounts, including email or bank accounts, enable two-factor authentication (2FA).

Example: Google and other platforms offer 2FA alternatives, while apps like LastPass or Dashlane assist in creating and storing safe passwords.

2. Limit Personal Information Shared Online. Sharing critical information like your social security number or private information like your home location or phone number should be done with caution. Refrain from sharing private information online or adding unnecessary stuff to online forms or profiles.

Example: Refrain from sharing excessively in open forums or on websites like Twitter. If you are requested for personal information, consider if you really need to give it.

3. Adjust Privacy Settings. Check and change your email, social media, and other online account privacy settings. You can usually manage who can view your activities, personal information, and postings on most platforms. If at all possible, make your accounts private and limit who can see them to people you can trust.

Example: You can control who can view your posts and profile on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

4. Regularly Audit and Clean Up Your Online Presence. Make routine reviews of your internet accounts to find and eliminate stuff that is no longer relevant or essential. Remove personal information from accounts that are no longer needed, delete outdated postings, and deactivate accounts that you are no longer using.

Example: To look over and remove previous activity logs or search histories, use Google’s “My Activity” feature.

5. Be Cautious of Public Wi-Fi and Phishing Scams. Remain clear of public Wi-Fi while accessing sensitive accounts or sharing personal information, as these networks are not as safe. You can encrypt your internet traffic by using a virtual private network, or VPN. Furthermore, keep an eye out for phishing emails and schemes that try to obtain your personal information by using fake web links or files.

Example: Prior to opening attachments or accessing links, always confirm the sender’s email address. Services like NordVPN or ExpressVPN allow secure browsing on public Wi-Fi.

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with your digital footprint and maintain greater control over your online presence.

Sara N Rosado
2 months ago

To protect your digital footprint and practice responsible online behavior, follow these five steps:

  1. Make sure your social media profiles and online accounts have strong privacy settings. 
  2. Handle technology carefully, using it as a tool for growth.
  3. Limit who can see your posts and personal information.
  4. Avoid posting sensitive or personal details that could be used against you or stay online forever.
  5. Communicate honestly and respectfully online. Use inclusive language, respect cultural differences, and contribute positively to the community. 
Elena Camacho
2 months ago

To protect your digital footprint, use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication for added security. Regularly review privacy settings on social media, avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities, and monitor your online presence to manage personal information visibility. These steps help safeguard your personal data in today’s digital world.

Zandra Prestigiacomo (She/Her)

 To protect our digital footprint we should:

  1. Use Strong Passwords: Pick strong, unique passwords and don’t share them.
  2. Think Before You Post: Be careful what personal information you share online.
  3. Check Privacy Settings: Make your accounts are private and adjust who can see your posts.
  4. Avoid Sketchy Links: Do not click on links or download random unfamiliar links.
  5. Keep an Eye out for unusual activities: Regularly check your accounts for any strange activity.
Elisa Velez
4 months ago

to protect our digital footprint:

  1. keep passwords safe
  2. do not share personal information
  3. think twice before posting, once its online, its online forever
  4. be mindful of your searches. ask yourself is this appropriate
  5. when searching take the steps to check its credibility
Ioana Paunescu
4 months ago

5 Steps to Protect Our Digital Footprint

  1. Think before you post: Be mindful of the information that you share online. Avoid sharing personal information. 
  2. Manage your privacy settings and cookies.
  3. Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication. 
  4. Use reliable websites and avoid downloading content from unknown sources or clicking on suspicious links. Avoid using public wi-fi. 
  5. Regularly monitor your digital footprint online. 

Martin Adames
5 months ago

5-Step Plan for Digital Footprint

Step 1– Be cautious when using the internet and giving personal information about yourself.

Step 2– Be alert while visiting sites, and connecting to public wi-fi.

Step 3– Be aware of scams and any information you share with websites.

Step 4– Be responsible for what you share about yourself and others online, and run security checks for web and other digital tools.

Step 5– Be proactive and learn to monitor your online life. Once in a while, you can search for yourself online and see what comes up. This will help you monitor and reflect on your online history.

Alondra Ramirez (She/her)

1. Be cautious of what you put online.
2. Check your privacy settings and make changes to be tighter
3. Make alerts for when your name is used online 
4. Clean up your online accounts 
5. Don’t share passwords with anyone and make the ones you have stronger.

Deborah Monforte
5 months ago

Five steps to protect your digital footprint:

  • clear your cookies and browser history
  • enable two-factor authentication
  • be aware of what you post, less is best
  • check privacy settings on websites, look into what is being used by these websites
  • don’t allow websites access when asked, there’s many websites that will now ask to track you can block this information.
Zebo Pirmukhamedova
5 months ago

I would recommend following these steps to protect our digital footprint. Also, I recently found this website to check how secure your password is https://www.security.org/how-secure-is-my-password/

  1. Create strong passwords;  do use your name or DOB. It makes it easier to hack.
  2. Clear your cookies and browsing history monthly; this will prevent suspicious websites from accessing your info.
  3. Instead of signing in with your Gmail account, create a new account it might be simpler, but if there is a breach, your Gmail account might get affected as well.
  4. Check your privacy settings regularly; keeping them public makes you visible to EVERYONE.
  5. Avoid sharing your passwords and personal information with others. You never know how they might use them or if they get hacked.

Maryann Ortiz
5 months ago

Five steps to protect our digital footprint. 

  1. Restrict any mobile apps permission. 
  2. Use and enable the two-factor authentication for all your accounts when offered to use. 
  3. Delete old accounts not being used.
  4. Go on reliable websites
  5. Check for privacy settings when entering sites.

Charlene V Jimoh
5 months ago

Five steps you can take to protect your digital footprint:

  1. Regularly Review and Update Privacy Settings: Familiarize yourself with the privacy settings on all the websites and apps you use. Limit who can see your posts and personal information. Be mindful of what information you share publicly.
  2. Think Before You Post: Avoid sharing sensitive personal information, such as your full address, phone number, or financial details. Consider the potential consequences before posting anything online, as it can be difficult to remove later.
  3. Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication: Create unique, complex passwords for each of your online accounts. Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible to add an extra layer of security.
  4. Be Cautious of Public Wi-Fi: Avoid accessing sensitive information or making financial transactions on public Wi-Fi networks, as they can be vulnerable to hackers.

Monitor Your Digital Footprint: Regularly search for your name online to see what information is publicly available. You can also use online tools to monitor your digital footprint and alert you to any potential privacy issues

Cristina Vazquez (She/Her)

Digital Footprint Protection in 5 Steps

1. Create passwords that are hard to guess and avoid using the same password for different accounts.

2.Be Cautious with Personal Information:Avoid sharing sensitive details like your address or phone number online.

3.Check Privacy Settings:Regularly review and adjust privacy settings on social media and other accounts to control who can see your information.

4.Stay Safe Online:Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown files to protect against cyber threats.

5.Always ask an adult for help if you are unsure.

Angelica Laburda (she/her)
  1. think before you share
  2. consider websites you visit – ask: do i trust this site?
  3. know what your digital footprint looks like – look yourself up
  4. manage your cookies to limit or block on certain sites
  5. manage your privacy settings
Pamella Peguero (She/her)

5 steps to Protect Our Digital Footsteps

1.     Do not share your private information or save it anywhere online.

2.    Add an extra layer of security to your online accounts by enabling two-factor authentication.

3.    Regularly review and adjust the privacy settings on your social media and other online accounts to control who can see your information.

4.    Do not overuse your passwords.

5.    Be mindful of any links you press.

Shavon Glover (She/Her/Hers)

A digital footprint is an accumulation of all your activities online. Routine things you do each day such as posting on social media, making a purchase, activating an account, completing a survey or sharing an article. All these actions leave a digital trail, which can include your IP address as well as any personal details of your life that you’ve shared online. This data can be tracked and analyzed by marketers, credit card issuers, advertisers, law enforcement agencies and other organizations to learn about your habits and create a customized profile.

Therefore to limit and/or manage your digital footprint, one can implement the following steps:

1. Searching for yourself – use multiple search engines to see what information about you is available.

2. Set alerts – After performing your search, consider setting up alerts to more keep track of your online mentions in the future. With an alert, you’ll receive a notification whenever your name appears online.

3. Use tighter privacy settings – Using more restrictive settings can help reduce your digital footprint. 

4. Restrict mobile app permissions – Whenever you grant a mobile app access to your photos, location, camera, contacts and other information, it makes your data available to the app owner. Be selective before giving an app permission.

5. Use a password manager – a password manager tool can securely create, encrypt and store unique passwords for you. Enable Two-Factor Authentication for any accounts where it’s offered. 

Link: https://www.morganstanley.com/articles/digital-footprint-protection-strategies

Ingrid Blumberg (she/her)
  1. Regularly monitor your digital footprint: Search for your name and review any information and images that may appear and get them removed if applicable. 
  2. Be cognizant of what data you are sharing online. Think about what you are posting on social media platforms and other websites and blogs. Will it have repercussions or affect employer/employee relationships? 
  3. Utilize privacy settings- Many websites and applications on phones now will allow you to select what you would like to share. Manage your privacy settings so that your personal information or search engines are private and/or cleared from the cache to avoid potential malicious activities. 
  4. Keep personal information private- Try your best to not share sensitive information online like your home address, phone number, credit card, bank details as this can be hacked and open for identity theft. 
  5. Use strong passwords or set up Two-Factor Authentication- this will provide extra security to your accounts to avoid scammers from obtaining sensitive information and removing your access to all accounts. 

Tracey Fuller (Her/She)

I am not sure what happened. However I am posting the 5 Steps to Protect your Digital Footprint.

Tracey Fuller (Her/She)

I have added a poster noting 5 steps to protect your Digital Footprint.

Kathleen
1 year ago

1. Think about the people and sites you interact with
2. Do not overshare private information
3. Think about pictures, comments, vlog posts you share, are they appropriate ?
4. Be mindful of your email subscriptions
5. Ensure your network and settings are secure.

Tracey Fuller (Her/She)
Reply to  Kathleen

I like reading others responses. It sparks thoughts with new information. My 5 Steps are different from your list., which means that there are many ways for one to protect their Digital Footprint.

Isatou Kebbeh
1 year ago

1. We should not overshare. Meaning we shouldn’t put to much of our personal information out there.

2. We should be conscious of what we post on social media.

3. Not everything we feel that we should post

4. Keep our information private

5. We should check the privacy of the website.

6. Anything posted it’s there forever, it’s not deleted.

Monsita Lizette Colon (She/her)

5 ways to protect our digital footprint

1.think before you share, ( once it’s posted on the internet you can’t take it down )

2. Reflect on when you google yourself( how much information was on the web about you)

3. Social media is not private ( what you post on social media future employers can find and see it)

4.beware of scammers (once your bank accounts and credit is on the web, it’s easier to clean out your account by a scammer)

5.keep your life private ( every detail doesn’t need to be shared with the world keep some information to yourself)

James Franciamore (He/Him)

1.) Be Aware of what you are going to share!

2.) Look at the privacy setting

3.) What do you see when you Google yourself

4.) Is your password protected?

5.) Pause and Ponder, Is this something everyone should know?

Nicole Berrios
1 year ago

5 Ways to Protect Our Digital Footprint:

  1. Keep personal information private.
  2. Use strong and unique usernames and passwords.
  3. Think before sharing.
  4. Adjust privacy setting on social media.
  5. Check security of websites you use.

Ashley Perez
1 year ago

5 Steps to Protect Your Digital Footprint

  1. Strong passwords
  2. Enable two factor authentication
  3. Limit what you share
  4. Check privacy settings
  5. stay away from links, request and profiles you do not know.
Sarah Palomeque
1 year ago

5 Steps to Protect Your Digital Footprint

  1. Limit your social media posts.
  2. Use strong passwords and/or change passwords frequently.
  3. Update your privacy settings.
  4. Check your browser for cookies.
  5. Don’t post personal information online.
Mabel Garcia (she/her/hers)

5 steps to protect your digital footprint

  1. Enable 2 factor authentication whenever possible.
  2. Avoid posting sensitive details, like your location.
  3. Practice safe browsing habits. For example when clicking on specific links or downloading files from unknown sources.
  4. Change your passwords frequently to avoid any access to your information.
  5. Review the settings on sites or applications to ensure access to your personal information is limited.
Ashley Perez
1 year ago
Reply to  Mabel Garcia

I also included the two step authentication in mine because i feel it secures your identity the most. It stops hackers from getting ahold of accounts and personal information. many social media websites are not adding that to the privacy settings .

Cassandra W.
1 year ago

5 Steps to Protect Your Digital Footprint:

  1. Create strong passwords: Use passwords that are hard to guess and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using common words or personal information.
  2. Use different passwords for each account: Don’t use the same password for all your online accounts. If one account gets hacked, having unique passwords for each account will help protect the rest.
  3. Adjust privacy settings: Check the privacy settings on your social media accounts and online platforms. Make sure only your friends or approved followers can see your personal information and posts.
  4. Think before you share: Be mindful of what you post online. Avoid sharing personal information like your address or phone number, and think twice before posting pictures or comments that could have negative consequences.
  5. Be careful with friend requests: Only accept friend requests or connect with people online that you know in real life. Some strangers may try to trick you into sharing personal information or accessing your accounts.
Anastasia Tsimiklis
1 year ago
  1. Use strong and unique passwords: Create strong, complex passwords for your online accounts, and avoid using the same password across multiple platforms. Don’t use the same password for different sites.
  2. Enable two-factor authentication: This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a unique code sent to your phone, in addition to your password. This can also be helpful in the event you forget your password as well.
  3. Be cautious with social media: Be mindful of the information you share on social media platforms. Adjust your privacy settings to control who can view your posts and personal information.
  4. Regularly review privacy settings: Review the privacy settings of your online accounts, including social media, email, and other platforms. Ensure that you understand and customize the privacy options according to your preferences.
  5. Practice safe browsing habits: Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading files from unfamiliar sources. Use a reliable antivirus software and keep it up to date.
JoEllen (She/Her)
1 year ago

This list is great for adults and high school/ middle schoolers. Passwords and two factor authentication are such hard things for many people, it is great reminder of what we should all be doing.

Jennifer R. (she/her)

5 Steps to Digital Footprint Protection

  1. Do not overshare, especially personal information.
  2. Think before you post.
  3. Do not post pictures of others without their permission.Think before posting pictures of yourself. Do they a good reflection of who you are.
  4. Check your digital footprint from time to time by Googling your own name.
  5. Use strong passwords and do not share your passwords with others.
Sarah Palomeque
1 year ago
Reply to  Jennifer R.

I think this list is straight forward for trying to protect your digital footprint. People just have to realize it is important to protect their digital footprint.

Ashley Perez
1 year ago
Reply to  Jennifer R.

I liked how you incorporated checking your digital footprint fro time to time. I feel like we never check and that is why information is always able to be accessed if we do not delete it. Also, that helps with finding fake accounts as well.

Kattie Guerrero-Valoy

5 steps to protect your digital footprint:

1.) STOP and Think! Before posting or sharing any content on the internet or social media platform, think about what you are posting, think about the message you are sending out there, and ask yourself if you want this bookmarked for life.

2.) Review the privacy and share setting on all platforms to protect your content and information.

3.) Google yourself and unsubscribe to certain sites that have your personal information posted to the public.

4.) Do not share your location or other personal information
5.) Use a strong password

JoEllen (She/Her)
1 year ago

5 Steps to Digital Footprint Protection

  1. Post only what you would share publicly and would be ok if it were permanent.
  2. Check your privacy settings frequently on all social media sites.
  3. Google yourself and utilize the resources offered on aggregator sites to have your data removed.
  4. Be aware of the pictures others take of you.
  5. Pause before your post, does this really need to be shared?
OBED FULCAR
1 year ago

5 steps to protect our digital footprint:

Number 1) Never share personal information, like your home address or cell phone number.

Number 2) When on a public chat don’t assume the person chatting with you is also a kid. There are adults that are online predators looking for a young victim.

Number 3) Never post pictures that your Mom, Dad or grandma will approve.

Number 4) Setup your privacy settings on social media to private, only people you know and trust like family and friends should have access to your posts, not for the general public.

Number 5) Be careful what you post online. Mind your words and what you post. Remember whatever you post online stay forever online.

Warrick Balfour
1 year ago
  1. Never post personal information (Location, passwords, address)
  2. Always use privacy settings
  3. Use a strong password (Not something someone else could easily guess)
  4. Avoids websites or links that look strange
  5. Think twice about the photos you post. They will stay on the internet forever.
Yanilda Hernandez
1 year ago

I created a word document on 5 steps to protect your digital footprint.
https://cuny907 my.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/personal/yanilda_hernandez17_login_cuny_edu/Documents/edu227%20digital%20footprint.docx?d=w5cc3961c6c9d4fbba14e4d7f78de69c4&csf=1&web=1&e=aSBfT1

5 steps on how you can protect your digital footprint.

I. Limit what you share online.
II. Do not log in to your personal accounts on public Wi-Fi.
III. Always use privacy settings.
IV. Don’t subscribe to mailing lists.

Vanessa Polonio (she/her)

I like how you added how they should not subscribe to mailing lists. That is important because then your address is on lots of lists!

Anastasia Tsimiklis
1 year ago

Mailing lists are the worst!

Ilka (Stoessel)
1 year ago

5 Ways to Protect Your Digital Footprint

Use strong passwords: Use unique, strong passwords for each of your online accounts. Avoid using easily guessable information like your name, birthdate, or common words, and consider using a password manager to help you generate and store strong passwords securely. A strong password would contain at least 8 characters with a combination of capital and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols (i.e. Tr@v3lTim34Me)

Be cautious about what you share: Be mindful of the personal information you share online. Consider the potential consequences of making certain information public, and be cautious about sharing sensitive information like your home address, phone number, or financial information.

Adjust privacy settings: Review and adjust the privacy settings on your social media and other online accounts to control who can see your content and personal information.

Monitor your digital footprint: Regularly search for your name and other personal information online to see what information is available about you. Consider setting up alerts to notify you of any new mentions or updates.

Think before you post: Before posting anything online, think about the potential impact it may have on your reputation, future opportunities and impact on others. Consider the long-term consequences of your online activity, and be mindful of how your digital footprint may be interpreted by others.

Vanessa Polonio (she/her)

I decided to create an infographic on Canva about five steps to maintaining a healthy digital footprint.
https://www.canva.com/design/DAFbU4RK5ko/XEW_dNcbFB7sSZyQl1M2Aw/view?utm_content=DAFbU4RK5ko&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink
My steps are think before you post so that my students think of the consequences that will happen if they post.
Then, don’t share your location. This way my students can keep themselves safe. People knowing their location can lead to dangerous consequences.
After, I talk about how they should keep their profiles, like Facebook, Instagram private. This way they are in control of who sees what they post.
Next, beware of the cookies settings. This way their data is not always shared.
Finally, I like the step of not posting just to post which was mentioned in one of the videos. Many people are posting just to get attention. Unfortunately, the attention they receive may not be kind. Students need to find other outlets that don’t lead to dangerous consequences.

Christina Salters (She/Her)

Here are 5 ways I believe that you can protect yourself online-
Don’t post everything you do.
Don’t put your personal information online.
Don’t post things about your family or friends without their permission.
Don’t write things that you wouldn’t want to say in person
Don’t forget that things online, stays online forever.

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