Hi everyone, I’m MaxSim, Cable & Wireless’ SIM Card enabled by the fastest LTE A mobile network in Seychelles, and welcome back to this month’s new blog issue. We cover little bytes of everything-tech, are you excited for this month’s Byte?

If there is anything specific you would like for us to discuss, feel free to send over some suggestions on our Facebook & Instagram pages! 

Here’s a byte on Digital Footprints!

Source: https://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/11-tips-for-students-tomanage-their-digital-footprints/

Firstly, what exactly is it? If you are reading this blog article right now, it’s adding to your digital footprint! In its simplest forms, a digital footprint is a trail of data you create whilst accessing the internet. 

Our digital footprints can be defined as either passive or active. A passive digital footprint is information you unintentionally make, like the websites you visit or apps you use and scroll through. This passive method identifies you through your IP address (a number assigned to each device that is connected to the Internet), which provides information like your approximate location and your Internet Service Provider (Hey, that’s us!   )

You can quickly check how your data is collected by skimming through the Terms & Conditions of any applications or service you use, and if you would like to, you can also edit and monitor security & privacy settings (which are accessible in your chosen apps’ settings menu).

Whereas your active digital footprint consists of data that you intentionally put online. Examples of this can be posting to your social media, whether it’s a new Facebook status or an Instagram picture. By publishing this article, I’m adding to my digital footprint too! If you’re someone who is super active on social media, and really likes sharing, you probably have a larger footprint compared to someone who only uses emails, for example. 

There are many reasons why collected data is important, here are some ways it’s used:

• Security – Law Enforcing Authorities can request to have access to data to help them solve crimes, or to even protect the public from dangerous malware!
• Advertising – Advertising companies use your digital footprint to create customised ads for you! They’re more likely to show you what you will buy.
• Vetting – If you’re applying for an important work position, or trying to attend a prestigious school, the institution might check your public social media profiles for a quick ‘vetting’ of your character.

Although this may seem scary, there is no need to worry, we all have some sort of digital footprint. Since it’s nearly impossible to avoid having a digital footprint, it’s important we focus on having a secure and positive one! By making content that creates a positive online presence, you are adding to your professional and personal repertoire.

Therefore, it’s really important to think before you share on the internet! 

Well, that was a great chat we had, I hope now you know a little more on Digital Footprints.

What are your thoughts on digital footprints, and what steps do you take to ensure your data is safe? Let us know on our social media!

I’ll be back next month for another little Byte.

MaxSim