November 27, 2024

When you use the internet, it is important to consider the digital footprint you leave. A digital footprint is the information you leave behind when using the internet. It often contains significant personal data, such as your IP address, device information, home address, shopping information, workplace, social media data, and more. 

Obtaining this information is easy to find, mainly because most people publicly share it on social media or online forums. Furthermore, digital cookies and applications that collect user information indirectly record your digital footsteps. Cookies help websites remember your information, such as what pages you visited and record your preferences for future visits. This data is how people can indirectly access your information.

As such, thieves often have quick access to a victim’s personal information, allowing them to steal identities. Identity thieves can use your information to obtain loans or credit cards, steal your tax refunds, commit crimes under your name, and take other harmful actions that impact your life. Some thieves have used this stolen information for “swatting.” This crime uses the stolen information to report fake emergencies to the authorities. When successful, they can inspire a response from law enforcement, such as the SWAT team.

Here are some steps you can take to reduce your digital footprint and discourage identity thieves from impacting your life:

Avoid Public Wi-Fi When Accessing Sensitive Information.

Using public Wi-Fi makes you more vulnerable to hacking and identity theft. As such, experts highly recommend avoiding public Wi-Fi when possible. One way to protect your devices is by disabling the automatic connection feature. This feature automatically connects devices to available networks nearby, often without your input.

Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) when you have no alternatives. VPNs help hide your online activity by encrypting your data. They also ensure the internet service provider cannot track your browsing activity, preventing some cookies from identifying you and your interests.

Update the Software on Your Devices and Use Strong Passwords.

Many updates address security issues and can help keep your data safe. Furthermore, some experts recommend strong passwords that thieves will struggle to crack. Passwords with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols can deter most hackers and thieves. A popular suggestion is to create a passphrase with a mix of numbers and symbols. A password manager can also help you remember which passwords or phrases belong to which accounts.

Mind What You Post on Social Media.

Social media is a popular source of personal information for identity thieves to peruse. Many people want to share good news, such as where you went on vacation, how much fun you had at a local site, and other clues about your life that thieves can use to impersonate you. Experts recommend ensuring your profiles do not share your birth date, email, or other private information necessary for proving your identity.

Check Your Credit Report.

Unfortunately, our data is everywhere in the digital space. As such, you should periodically check your credit report to ensure thieves have not stolen your identity. Credit reports can show whether someone has taken out any loans or opened new accounts under your name, allowing you to stop these fraudulent actions.

Contact law enforcement and your financial institutions if you believe someone has stolen your identity. Afterward, promptly report the identity theft on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website: identitytheft.gov. When you report the theft to the FTC, they will help create an individualized plan to assist your recovery.

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