Safeguarding your privacy and reducing your digital footprint is a must if you want to protect your data. While your social media posts, website visits, and online purchases can be valuable tools for personal branding and connectivity, they can also pose risks to your privacy and security. Each adds to the vast amount of data companies and third parties compile on you. Whether by limiting social media exposure, using privacy-focused tools, or opting out of data collection, each of the following steps will empower you to regain control over your online presence:
1. Limit Social Media Sharing
Every post, photo, or status update can be traced to you, building a permanent digital footprint over time. This means reducing how often or how much details you post about vacation plans, personal milestones, or updates in your life. This way, third parties or hackers will have less information to sift through.
It's also essential to adjust the privacy settings for the different social media platforms. Ensure that your content is accessed only by a small group, such as only users in your contact. This will protect your information from being indexed by any search engine or in front of an incorrect audience.
2. Use Encryption Communication Tools
Encryption tools will protect messages and ensure privacy when communicating over the internet through emails, instant messaging, and video calls. No other party can intercept your data, whether in storage or transit.
WhatsApp and Signal are good for end-to-end encryption; only you and the recipient will be able to read the message. You can also try encrypted email services like ProtonMail or Tutanota. These tools protect sensitive communication, like work discussions or personal information, from potential security breaches.
3. Delete Old Accounts
With so many websites and services, most people have accounts they no longer use, but the accounts remain there with lots of information. Deleting an unused or old account is a major step in reducing your digital footprint. It limits how much personal data could be accessed besides lowering the risk of your information being compromised in case of data exposure.
Start by making a list of some accounts you have created over time. Look for services that allow you to delete accounts from multiple platforms. You can also learn how to delete your account by DeleteMe to make the process easier. Once you have located the accounts you no longer use, deleting them ensures your data will not remain online.
4. Use a Virtual Private Network
A VPN reduces your digital footprint by hiding your IP address and encrypting your web traffic. If you use it, all your browser data transfers over an encrypted server so that websites, advertisers, and online malicious actors can't trace what you do online.
It will also eliminate logging your browsing history by your internet service provider. In addition, it will provide protection against targeted advertising. It also offers security when using public Wi-Fi, protecting your data from possible breaches.
5. Opt-Out of Data Brokers
Data brokers often collect and store personal information without your consent and sell it. Opting out of such services plays a crucial role in reducing your footprint. Many of these data brokers have a method for you to remove your information from their databases, although it can be time-consuming.
Several other websites like OptOutPrescreen or PrivacyRights, can help you identify the broker and request to remove your data. These tools will keep monitoring, opting you out of all data collection services so your information doesn't get sold on the market.
Endnote
Reducing your digital footprint is an effective way to avoid cyber attack risks. Consider hiding the IP address and deleting old, unused accounts. Be thorough and consistent to continue enjoying high safety standards online.
