impressions in the dirt. As you walk, you may accidentally drop something or step on
plants. All of these things leave a trail that could be followed by someone who knows
how to track.
The same thing happens with the actions you take while online: they leave a digital trail
that can be followed. Some of your actions can be easily tracked by just about anyone
who goes online. Other actions can be tracked by data brokers (companies that collect
and sell data about consumers), marketers, and advertisers. Still other actions can be
tracked only by people with certain levels of authority, such as law enforcement officials.
Let's take a look at ways your digital footprints leave trails across the Internet.
time you start to type in a search, old searches might pop up. This can be a useful
feature, but anyone using your device can see what you've searched for. Similarly, web
browsers store user history. Again, this can be helpful, especially if you've forgotten a
website address you've visited. You can counter these threats to privacy by clearing
your browser history.
that identifies you as a unique user of a website, is downloaded to your computer. The
next time you return to the site, the cookie allows the site to identify you as a user who
has been there before. Cookies, which may contain account names and passwords,
may make browsing the Web easier and faster. However, hackers can use the cookies
stored on your device to gain information about you, and cookies make it easier for
companies to sell you products.
tracked, and the store shares that information with marketers. These companies send
you coupons and other offers. Some people like these offers. Others feel that their
privacy is violated, and they often decide not to use rewards cards.
your digital trail. You might think that information can be deleted from the Web, but
someone else may have already downloaded it and saved it to his or her own computer.
Some social networking sites allow marketers to gather information about their users.
This information includes posts, photos, videos, websites, or articles that you have
"liked" or "shared." Marketers can then use this information to show you targeted ads.
tracked through GPS or through your wireless signal. You can counter this by turning off
your mobile device and by turning off the wireless technology when you're not using it.
Law enforcement officials, private investigators, and attorneys can follow your digital
trail fairly closely. With a subpoena or written order made by a court, police officers can
access a list of the phone numbers you called on your mobile device where you were
on a certain date the Internet address of your computer and the websites you have
visited.