May 26 2023

The Internet and social networks never forget?

The risks and consequences of the digital footprint

The digital footprint refers to the information that is generated through the use of digital devices and services, such as social networks, web browsers, emails or web applications, among others. Some of the risks and consequences associated with the digital footprint may include:

Loss of privacy: personal information shared online can be collected, stored and used by companies, advertisers and hackers. This can lead to invasion of privacy and/or exposure of private information.
Online fraud: Criminals can use personal information shared online, such as children’s births, birthdays, pet names, etc., to carry out fraudulent activities such as identity theft or financial fraud.
Cyberbullying: social networks can be used to harass, humiliate or intimidate others.
Employment risks: information shared online can be used by employers to assess job applicants and current employees.
Legal risks: information shared online can be used against an individual in a court case or police investigation.
Reputational impact: inappropriate or offensive publications can have an impact on an individual’s well-being.

Steps that individuals can take to protect their privacy

In short, the digital footprint can have significant risks and consequences for the privacy, security and reputation of the individual. This is why there are a series of measures that can be taken proactively by the user:

Configure online accounts: Many online services have privacy options that allow users to control who can see their information. It is advisable to review and adjust the privacy settings of accounts to limit the amount of information shared.
Limit personal information online: It is important to be careful when sharing information online, being aware of the need to give very precise information and the consequences that may follow.
Use strong and unique passwords for each online account. Passwords should be long and contain a combination of numbers, symbols and letters.
Use a virtual private network (VPN): A VPN allows you to encrypt your Internet connection and hide your IP address, which helps protect your online privacy and security.

The importance of digital education in the information age

Digital education is essential in the information age. It helps people to develop technological skills, to protect their online information, to critically evaluate online information and to participate effectively in the digital society. Digital education is essential to equip people to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of the digital age.

How can companies and institutions protect users’ personal data and information?

The protection of users’ personal data and information requires a proactive and security-conscious approach to information security. To this end, it is necessary to take a series of preventive measures that are set out in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These include:

A clear and transparent privacy policy: It is important to have a privacy policy that clearly and transparently informs users how their personal data is collected, used, stored and protected.
Protection of personal data: They must also take measures to protect users’ personal information, including encrypting data, using strong passwords and implementing appropriate security measures.
Limited access: Companies and organisations should limit access to personal information to only those employees or third parties who need access to it to perform their work.
Staff training: It is important to train staff to ensure that the latest technologies and security measures are being used.
Incident response procedures: It is necessary to have an incident response plan in case of a data breach or security breaches. Companies and institutions should have clear procedures to inform affected users and take measures to minimise the impact.
Compliance with relevant laws and regulations.