Safely Browse

Whenever you browse the Internet, post on social media, or sign up for a new online account, you leave behind a trail or digital footprint. And just like muddy footprints on a clean floor, you might not realize how much you’re leaving behind until you look closer.

The good news?

You have some control over how big (or small) that footprint is.

Think of it this way: If someone wanted to learn about you, how much could they find with a quick Google search? Your old MySpace profile from 2007? That embarrassing tweet from college? Your home address? (Yikes.) While completely erasing yourself from the Internet isn’t possible, there are simple steps you can take to minimize your digital trail and protect your privacy.

Social media is a goldmine of personal information; most of us share more than we realize. Take a moment to review your privacy settings. Most platforms allow you to control who sees your posts—whether it’s just friends, friends of friends, or the entire Internet.

While you’re at it, go through your old posts and delete anything that no longer represents who you are today. If you have social media accounts you no longer use, delete them! An old, inactive account is like an unlocked door to your personal information.

Ever googled yourself?

If not, now’s the time. Searching your name and email address can give you a clear picture of what’s publicly available about you. If you find something you’d rather not have online—like an outdated phone number or an old forum post—you may be able to request its removal. Some websites offer opt-out options, while others may require contacting the site owner directly.

A lot of personal data ends up online through accounts you’ve forgotten about. Maybe you signed up for a website years ago and never used it again. Even if you don’t remember it, that account could still store personal details, and if the site gets hacked, your data could be exposed.

An easy way to check?

Use a free tool like “Have I Been Pwned” at www.haveibeenpwned.com to see if your email has been involved in a data breach. If it has, update your passwords, and consider deleting any accounts you no longer need.

For an extra layer of awareness, set up Google Alerts at www.google.com/alerts for your name. This way, you’ll get notified if new information about you appears online. Think of it as a personal digital watchdog, looking for anything suspicious.

The Internet isn’t going anywhere; having a digital footprint is just part of modern life. But by taking a few simple precautions, you can ensure you’re leaving behind the right kind of footprints—the ones you want people to see.