Protecting Your Digital Footprint

In recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in social media and internet use. This has caused an increase in how much information is readily available on the internet. Many may think, “the internet already has my information, what's the harm?” and although there may be some truth to that, it's not the whole story. Everything that is shared or posted on social media, or the internet, leaves behind a digital footprint that can be traced back to highly sensitive information.

To get started, here are some safety tips to minimize your digital footprint:

Update privacy settings: When an application or webpage asks to share your location, only give it restricted access (e.g., Allow While Using App). It is also recommended to set social media accounts to private to prevent other users from viewing pictures or other information on your profile. Note: in iPhone Photos, if your location is on and you share an image with someone, the exact location of where the picture was taken is recorded and attached to that image, making it possible for someone to track it down and discover where you have been or where you are.

Ensure you're not providing more information than necessary: Most account setups do not require a middle name, so if it is not needed, do not provide. Also, it is understandable to want to share pictures of your kids or life updates. However, by withholding what school they are going to, their age/grade, and their full legal name, you lower the risk that a bad actor could track you down and even compromise sensitive information through the school.

Think before you click: When visiting a site, data is collected in the form of ‘cookies,' so anytime you interact with a link or a pop-up, you are leaving footprints behind. Always ask yourself if the sites you're visiting or the links you're clicking are safe.

If you're looking for experts to further ensure that sensitive information on you or your business is not readily available online, the Fortalice Solutions OSINT team is here for you. Our team of skilled risk and digital monitoring practitioners have extensive experience in providing clients with advice on how to stay safe when using the internet. We know how to work with organizations side-by-side to deliver tailored services that focus on your specific company and sector, giving you more than just a one-size-fits-all solution.  

For additional information on Fortalice Solutions service offerings, contact the team via email at watchmen@fortalicesolutions.com