What is a Digital Footprint?

What is a Digital Footprint?

1. Digital footprints are the records and traces we leave behind us as we use the internet.

2. Why did we start leaving such big footprints?

   • Each time we visit a website we leave information behind us, this information is collected and soon due to all these small footprints, we have a big one. This can create a complete profile about us
     • Linkability does more than anything else to erode users ability to keep personal data within a single context. This makes it hard to keep data in one single spot.
   • What is the economic bargain for Internet users?
     • The can improve profiles of you as a consumer. The information gains for inferences from it can be used to know what ads might influence you
       • Marketers can also use the internet information to help them sell. Advertisers desire to hit there target audience.
         • Are digital footprints a problem?
           • Yes, digital footprints are a problem because they invade privacy and corrupt the idea of anonymity.
             • Do different devices make different digital footprints?
               • Yes, modern smartphones/tablets leave a very different digital footprint than computers/laptops.
                 • How can I manage my digital footprint?
                   • One way you can manage your approach is the "Four Layered Approach," manage your cookies and looking more into privacy settings.
                     • Who is tracking me and how do they do it?
                       • The three main kinds of entities who work together to track users and Crete composite profiles are the Advertisers, Publishers, and Aggregators. They all track you by using cookies to get things like your location, sex, age, income, interests and more that can benefit them.
                         • What dynamics are at work In the world of digital footprints?
                           • The dynamics that are at work in the world of digital footprints are cultural dynamic, social dynamic, and the dynamic of convenience.
                             • How does legislation affect digital footprints?
                               • Technology based laws can genuinely improve the users browsing experience. However, they can also shift the unwanted activity outside the scope of the law. As well as, give service providers an incentive look for unregulated means to monitor or profile users.