Background

Whenever you visit a website or post a picture on Instagram, you're leaving a digital trail behind. Companies nowadays will conduct background checks and this includes your digital footprint since it consists of your online activity and tells the world about your character and interactions on the web. It's essential to be mindful of what you're putting out there about yourself and remember, always think before you post. Theres two types of digital footprints: passive and active.

A passive digital footprint is "a data trail you unintentionally leave online" and notable examples that we encounter on an everyday basis include website cookies. On the other hand, an active digital footprint is when you willingly share information about yourself and an example would be "making comments on a social media site."

Based on your digital footprint, customized ads can be used to market products that you might have searched for previously. However, there are steps that can be taken to ensure that you leave behind a strong yet safe and positive digital footprint.

• Google yourself/name to see what's out there.
• Double check your privacy settings to get an idea of what's being shared/stored.
• Create strong, complex passwords to protect yourself from cybercrimes.
• Keep your software on your devices up-to date.
• Don't disclose top secret or any personal information.
• Only like, post, or comment things that contribute to your image and build a positive reputation.
• Set up Google alerts for your name.
• Think before you post.

Start now and take the essential steps towards a bright and safer digital footprint future tomorrow.