Every click, search, and like is valuable. Discover what "digital footprints" are and three simple ways to guard your precious data.
Last week, my friend Sarah was shocked when her phone showed her an ad for the exact hiking boots she'd only talked about near her laptop. "It's listening to me!" she whispered, genuinely concerned.
The truth is both simpler and more important: it's all about your digital footprint.
Think of your online activity like walking on a sandy beach. Every step you take—every website you visit, every app you open, every "like" you click—leaves a footprint. Companies follow these footprints to understand you, often to sell you things.
Your data—your interests, location, habits—is incredibly valuable. But you have more control than you think. Here are 3 simple ways to protect it:
Become a Password Pro: Reusing passwords is like using one key for your house, car, and office. Use a password manager (like Bitwarden or your browser's built-in one) to create and store strong, unique passwords for every site.
Embrace Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds a second step to logging in, like a code sent to your phone. It's like needing both a key and a secret handshake to get in the door. Turn it on for your email and social media accounts.
Check Your App Permissions: Go into your phone's settings and see which apps have access to your microphone, camera, and location. If a simple flashlight app asks for your location, say no. It doesn't need it.
You don't need to be a tech expert to be safe online. Start with one of these steps today. Your digital self will thank you.
Learn technology—one at a time.
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The truth is both simpler and more important: it's all about your digital footprint.
Think of your online activity like walking on a sandy beach. Every step you take—every website you visit, every app you open, every "like" you click—leaves a footprint. Companies follow these footprints to understand you, often to sell you things.
Your data—your interests, location, habits—is incredibly valuable. But you have more control than you think. Here are 3 simple ways to protect it:
Become a Password Pro: Reusing passwords is like using one key for your house, car, and office. Use a password manager (like Bitwarden or your browser's built-in one) to create and store strong, unique passwords for every site.
Embrace Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds a second step to logging in, like a code sent to your phone. It's like needing both a key and a secret handshake to get in the door. Turn it on for your email and social media accounts.
Check Your App Permissions: Go into your phone's settings and see which apps have access to your microphone, camera, and location. If a simple flashlight app asks for your location, say no. It doesn't need it.
You don't need to be a tech expert to be safe online. Start with one of these steps today. Your digital self will thank you.
Learn technology—one at a time.