Digital Footprint - an Invisible Business Card 
May 2025

Have you thought about the Digital Footprint you leave on the internet? What is in fact your Digital Footprint on the internet?

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One of the challenges of the third millennium, linked to the digital dimension of our existence, is the Digital Footprint. Often, lured by the miraculous functions of the smart phone or personal computer, people do not take into account the rules of ethical and responsible surfing in the digital environment, nor the risks of surfing. When using the Internet, when visiting a website or using a service, when creating an account, people leave a trail of data or information. Almost every action, every behavior that they do in the digital world leaves a footprint, just as their footsteps leave wet sand on the beach or in the mud, footprints that can be traced back to the user.

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The digital world has introduced the concept of 'digital footprint' which refers to the set of data generated by users' online activities that can be used to identify or create a detailed profile of users. According to an article on Legal Up, "the digital footprint is a unique indicator of a person" and includes social media posts, comments or responses to forms filled in online (active, visible footprint), but also data collected without awareness, such as IP addresses, location or device information, browsing history, etc (passive footprint). Thus, every time a user surfs the internet, they leave a part of themselves, a footprint that can remain for a long time, even if they consider it "forgotten". Visible to almost everyone, it can have a significant impact on users' lives.

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Increased digital activity is leading to increasingly vulnerable digital footprints that criminals can exploit to compromise users' physical, emotional, financial safety. Examples include identity theft, phishing attacks, compromising financial security, cyberbullying, etc. At the same time, footprinting is also becoming an important tool for employers who use it as part of the vetting process of prospective employees. Thus, personal data left in the digital environment can not only endanger users, but also influence the selection process in various professional fields.

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Fortunately, there are several recommended actions that internet users can take to protect their digital footprint. Regular digital house-cleaning reduces the amount of old personal information in the digital space. These include reviewing privacy settings, using passwords and two-factor identification, and choosing different passwords for personal and work accounts. It is also important to delete old and unused accounts, and to carefully select the content you publish online.

The digital footprint, through its temporal dimension, can bring a lot of benefits when managed responsibly. As early as adolescence, internet users can build a positive self-image by participating in discussions on topics of specific interest, accessing quality information, continuing their education online. They can learn and develop personally through access to personalized information promoting their talents and passions. In the professional field, a digital footprint can help build a strong professional image, access job and development opportunities, network with people in similar fields of interest and become actively involved in professional online communities.

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The digital footprint thus appears as a valuable tool, but also as a potential risk for users. When they become aware of the footprint they leave online and the impact it can have on their lives, they carefully manage their data, adopt responsible surfing practices, limit risks, and make surfing a positive, meaningful experience. Responsible use of the internet is therefore not only an option, but a necessity for safety and success in the age we live in.

 

Resources

· Abrihan, R. (2021, February 11). Who's tracking your digital footprint: 8 tips for more online safety. StartupCafe. Retrieved from https://startupcafe.ro/amprenta-digitala-siguranta-online-htm-15245

· Bitdefender. (2023, January 24) . Protect your digital identity in 2023. Bitdefender Blog. Retrieved from https://www.bitdefender.com/ro-ro/blog/hotforsecurity/protejeaza-ti-identitatea-digitala-in-2023?utm_source=chatgpt.com

· LegalUp. (n.d.). The importance of protecting your digital footprint online. LegalUp. Retrieved from https://legalup.ro/amprenta-digitala/

· Bagyaratnam, A. (2024, October 24). Footprinting: How can your X-data change your life? TweetDelete. Retrieved from https://tweetdelete.net/ro/resources/digital-footprints-how-your-data-on-x-can-change-your-life/

· Canadian Center for Cyber Security. (2022, January) . Digital footprint (ITSAP.00.133). Retrieved from https://www.cyber.gc.ca/sites/default/files/cyber/2022-01/ITSAP-00-133-Digital-Footprint_f.pdf

· LegalUp. (n.d.). Footprinting: What it is and why it matters. LegalUp. Retrieved from https://legalup.ro/amprenta-digitala/