We are going on a limb here and assuming nearly everyone has read Footprints in the Sand, a poem by Unknown Author. If you are among the knowing, skip past the link.
As Web travelers, expect that one set of footprints in our digital sand means our identity is safe. Particularly worrisome is when two sets of prints show up where we’ve traveled. This is the essence of today’s blog: Cleaning up your digital tracks.
The phrase ‘what goes on the web, stays on the web’ is absolutely true. One way to shore things up is to close old accounts. Forgotten accounts are like a proverbial gold mine for data theft.
Breaking into just one of your old accounts can yield useful clues to easily crack the next.
Below are a few sites with deletion links (use a web search to find others). Complete these and your accounts will be permanently vaporized!
Deleting your app accounts is only part of the battle, your public records also deserve a privacy check-up.
Google yourself (your ex already has), to find a wealth of surprising, possibly embarrassing details. All joking aside, what shows up in Google’s results is usually pretty innocent, while sites like Pipl provide a more sobering depth of personal info.
Despite this, websites like abine provide subscription services (DeleteMe) that remove your public info. Abine offers a free guide to opting out from many people searches.
Lastly, and certainly not least important, get a VPN. In all seriousness, your phone has a passcode, you (hopefully) draw your blinds before walking around ‘in the buck’, but how are you protecting your browsing in real-time? Our staff is available to answer any questions about network security you may have. Give us a call today.
Stay safe!