Your Digital Footprint: What People See Online   

• Every time you go online ? whether to “like” a post, sign up for a service, or search for memes ? you leave behind a trail of data. That trail is called your digital footprint. It’s the record of everything you do online, and it sticks around much longer than you might think, quietly accumulating in the background. There are two types of digital footprints ? passive and active. Passive footprints are traces created without your direct input, such as the time you spend on a page. Active footprints, on the other hand, are the result of actions you take intentionally ? posting photos, writing comments, or entering personal information. Together, these traces can reveal a great deal about you, including your interests, location, and online behavior. This information is valuable ? not only to marketers and tech companies but also to cybercriminals. Hackers may use digital footprints to access personal accounts, steal identities, or carry out phishing scams. And once your data is out there, it’s nearly impossible to erase. Fortunately, with some precautions, you can minimize your digital footprint and reduce your risk of being targeted. The first is to use strong, unique passwords for each account you make. A password manager can help you manage them. Another step you can take is to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible for an extra layer of protection. Also, always be mindful of what you share online and regularly review your privacy settings on social media, websites, and apps. Lastly, avoid conducting sensitive activities, such as banking or shopping, on public Wi-Fi unless connected through a virtual private network (VPN). Your digital footprint plays a critical role in your online safety. By taking simple, proactive steps, you can manage your digital presence and protect your personal information in today’s connected world. Yesel Kang Copy Editor teen/1751271110/1613367750