A digital footprint is the data a person leaves online when using websites and applications. It is impossible to completely "clean up" your presence, explained cybersecurity expert Sergey Balyberdin.
Even with digital hygiene, some information leaks through vulnerabilities in services and providers. The main task is to reduce the amount of available data and not create new risks.
The expert advises minimizing data during registration by providing only required fields, using separate email addresses for different purposes, and creating unique passwords with two-factor authentication. It is important to delete old accounts, as data may be stored on servers and become vulnerable in case of leaks.
Cookies are usually anonymized and used for analytics, but some may track behavior. Browsers allow you to restrict or automatically clear cookies. Browsing history should be deleted, and "Incognito" mode helps reduce data collection, although the provider still sees the visited sites.
Open Wi-Fi networks pose risks, but modern applications use encryption to protect data. Nevertheless, you should not transmit confidential information over open networks.
Most personal data is already publicly available due to leaks and violations of digital hygiene. Therefore, it is more important not to try to erase the footprint completely, but to behave competently online — minimize data, regularly review habits, and be careful with services.
Balyberdin emphasized that adhering to basic principles of digital security is important not only for users but also for businesses. Many attacks occur due to employee carelessness and lack of knowledge about security measures. A high level of security is achieved not by large expenditures, but by strict adherence to simple rules.
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