IGITAL FOOTPRINT

D
GUIDE
Let's learn more about digital
footprint!!

A digital footprint is the trail of data

WHAT IS
you leave when using the internet.
Includes websites you visit, emails

DIGITAL you send and information you sumbit

online. Digital footprint grows in

FOOTPRINT many ways such as posting on social

media or even subscribing to a
newsletter.

HOW IS IT CREATED?
Digital footprint or presences is created
through the gathering of information on a
user. Internet user creates their digital
footprint either actively or passively (two
major types of digital footprint).

ACTIVE
Active digital footprint is where the user has
purposely shared information about
themselves. For example, posting or
participating on social networking sites or
online fourms.

PASSIVE
Passive digital footprint is created when information is
gathered about the user without them being aware
that it's happening. For example, when websites collect
information about how many times a user visits, where
they come from, and their IP adress.

BENIFITS
- Fraud or legal issues can more easily be detected.
- Personalization serves to add value to our use of
internet.
- Companies can more easily offer incentives based
on interests and needs, sometimes resulting in cost
savings.

SOURCES
Marketing, Network-Telecom. “Part 2: How Is a Digital Footprint Created.” Network Telecom, 20 July 2020, network-
telecom.com/part-2-how-is-a-digital-footprint-created/.
Kaspersky. “What Is a Digital Footprint? and How to Protect It from Hackers.” Www.kaspersky.com, 9 Mar. 2022,
www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/definitions/what-is-a-digital-footprint.
“Pros and Cons of Your Digital Footprint.” Vivint, 29 Sept. 2021, www.vivint.com/resources/article/pros-and-cons-of-your-
digital-footprint.
 RISKS
-Personal data can be used to generate revenue
without our knowledge.
-It can be annoying and distracting to be constantly
inundated with advertisements and information.
-Purchase behavior data may be used as a basis to
reduce credit limits or increase interest rates.

CHANGING YOUR
DIGITAL FOOTPRINT
You can change your digital footprint by
reducing your footprint. To reduce your digital
footprint, you may want to do the following:
Delete/deactivate old social media
accounts
Think before posting
Delete/deactivate old email accounts

DIGITAL PRESENCE
A digital presence is how your business appears on
the internet. It is what people find when they search
for your business online, and it includes: Your
website. Your social media accounts (LinkedIn,
Facebook, Twitter, etc.) Listings in business
directories (Just dial, Sulekha etc.)

TIPS
Tips to keep in mind when creating a digital
presence:
Know and engage with your target
audience
Keep track of what's trending
Focus on eye-catching visuals
Optimise for search engines
Establish your expertise
Ensure enhanced web experience

The digital footprint of a person can establish their digital reputation, which is
often considered as important as their offline reputation. Employers may
check potential employees' digital footprints, particularly their social media,
before making hiring decisions. We can keep a positive digital footprint by
being cautious about what we do on the internet. So, the next time you click
"allow cookies" or post on social media, consider whether it will have a positive
or bad impact on your digital footprint.

SOURCES
University, Carnegie Mellon. “Reduce Your Digital Footprint - Information Security Office - Computing Services - Carnegie Mellon
University.” Reduce Your Digital Footprint - Information Security Office - Computing Services - Carnegie Mellon University,
www.cmu.edu/iso/aware/protect-your-privacy/digital-footprint.html.
Das, Rushali. “15 Tips to Building a Better Social Media Presence: Statusbrew.” Statusbrew Blog, Statusbrew Blog, 13 Apr. 2022,
statusbrew.com/insights/social-media-presence/.
Karnad, Mangal, and Name *. “What Is Digital Presence? Why Does a Business Need It?” FableSquare, 20 Dec. 2020,
www.fablesquare.com/what-is-digital-presence-why-do-businesses-need/.