By now, everyone is well-aware of how the internet works. But did you know that when you visit a website, it can actually monitor and track your activity? In fact, you leave bits and pieces of information whenever you interact with anything on the internet. This trail of information is called your ‘digital footprint’.
Though they are mainly used to personalise your online experience, they can also be exploited, especially by cyber criminals who have managed to intercept this information. This is where it gets treacherous, as the information can be used for tactics such as phishing and identity theft or fraud. And with the ever-rising threat of data breaches, it is important for individuals to know how to reduce the chances of it happening to them.
The question is, how can you reduce your footprints? Can you even do anything about it?
Unfortunately, it can be incredibly difficult to fully erase your information once it is out there; the best thing you can do is to be mindful whenever you are browsing the internet. One way to do this is to try being as anonymous as you can. Here are some easy steps you can practise:
- Disable or block third-party cookies. These cookies can be used to target you with ads and even send spam emails. You can usually find this in the ‘privacy and security’ settings in your browser.
- Browse the internet using private or incognito mode. This will prevent your browser from storing cookies and your internet history. Otherwise, you can manually delete your cookies every now and then.
- Do not allow websites to use or track your location. You can also turn it off completely in your browser’s settings.
- Opt to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). It stops outside parties from tracking your web activity by masking your IP address and location.
- Delete your unused accounts. If a hacker manages to guess its password, it can act as a gateway to your other online accounts, making you more vulnerable to attacks.
Leaving fewer footprints in the digital realm is just one of the many measures that can help protect you online and keep you safe from cyber-attacks. If you would like to learn more on other important best practices in cybersecurity, you can check out our 1-hour course ‘Cybersecurity 101: Risks and Best Practices’. Click here to go to our learning portal now!