7 Tips for Reducing Your Digital Footprint

Old accounts, public posts and app permissions can leave more personal information online than you expect. These seven tips offer a practical starting point for reviewing your digital footprint.

1. Close accounts you no longer need

Review old shopping, social media and forum accounts. Save anything important and understand the provider’s deletion process before closing one. Removing an account does not necessarily remove copies of information already shared elsewhere.

2. Review social media privacy

Check who can see your posts and profile information. Look at connected apps and remove permissions that are no longer needed. Settings can change, so it is useful to review them periodically.

3. Share less personal information

Think before publishing contact details, addresses, identity information or family routines. Consider who can view a post and whether it needs to be public. Information shared privately can still be copied by the recipient.

4. Understand private browsing

Private or Incognito mode limits some records retained by the browser after the session. It does not make you anonymous to websites, your internet provider or an organisation managing the network. Downloads and bookmarks may remain on the device.

5. Review location permissions

Check which apps and websites can access location information. Allow access when it serves a purpose you understand, and remove unnecessary permissions. Some services need location to work, so consider the effect of each change.

6. Check advertising preferences

Review personalisation and advertising settings in services you use. Opting out may change how information is used for advertising, but does not necessarily stop all tracking or data collection. Read the available choices rather than assume one switch covers everything.

7. Look at your public presence

Search for your name and review what is publicly visible. Update old profiles and ask the relevant website about removing information where appropriate. We can help explain computer and account settings if you are unsure where to begin.

If you would like help, contact Australian Computer Doctors or read about our related computer service.

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