Digital footprint

Passive digital footprints can be stored in many ways depending on the situation. In an online environment, a footprint may be stored in an online data base as a "hit". This footprint may track the user IP address, when it was created, and where they came from; with the footprint later being analyzed. In an offline environment, a footprint may be stored in files, which can be accessed by administrators to view the actions performed on the machine, without seeing who performed them.

Active digital footprints can also be stored in many ways depending on the situation. In an online environment, a footprint can be stored by a user being logged into a site when making a post or change, with the registered name being connected to the edit. In an offline environment a footprint may be stored in files, when the owner of the computer uses a keylogger, so logs can show the actions performed on the machine, and who performed them. One feature of keylogger monitors the clipboard for any changes. This may be problematic as the user may copy passwords or take screenshots of sensitive information which is then logged.

Digital footprints are not a digital identity or passport, but the content and meta data collected impacts upon internet privacy, trust, security, digital reputation, and recommendation. As the digital world expands and integrates with more aspects of life, ownership and rights of data becomes important. Digital footprints are controversial in that privacy and openness are in competition.[12] Scott McNealy, CEO of Sun Microsystems, said in 1999 Get Over It when referring to privacy on the Internet.[13] This later became a commonly used quote in relationship to private data and what companies do with it.

Internet footprints are used by interested parties for several reasons; including cyber-vetting,[14] where interviewers could research applicants based on their online activities. Internet footprints are also used by law enforcement agencies, to provide information that would be unavailable otherwise due to a lack of probable cause.[15] In addition, digital footprints are used by marketers in order to find what products a user is interested in, or to inspire ones' interest in a certain product based on similar interests.[16]

Social networking systems may record activities of individuals, with data becoming a life stream. Such usage of social media and roaming services allow digital tracing data to include individual interests, social groups, behaviors, and location. Such data is gathered from sensors within devices, and collected and analyzed without user awareness. Many social media sites, like Facebook, collect an extensive amount of information that can be used to piece together a user's personality. Information gathered from social media, such as the number of friends a user has, can predict whether or not the user has an introvert or extrovert personality.

While digital footprint can be used to infer personal information, such as demographic traits, sexual orientation, race, religious and political views, personality, or intelligence[17] without individuals' knowledge, it also exposes individuals private psychological sphere into the social sphere.[18] Lifelogging is an example of indiscriminate collection of information concerning an individuals life and behavior.[19] There are actions to take to make a digital footprint difficult to track.[20] Illustrating examples of the usage or interpretation of data trails is found at the example of Facebook-influenced creditworthiness ratings,[21] the judicial investigations around German social scientist Andrej Holm,[22] advertisement-junk mails by the American company OfficeMax[23] or the border incident of Canadian citizen Ellen Richardson.[24]

This image shows that one's digital footprint is found online through the internet. This makes up who a person is through media in the virtual world.

Doctors are highly searched on the internet which makes upholding and maintaining a digital footprint critical. A digital footprint is one's identity online based upon a person's personality or one's career path, but also based upon someone's activity through the internet. Most people nowadays, go online to search for doctors and read reviews. This contains a lot of information on how to uphold and maintain a good digital footprint.[25] While going through research of different facilities using one's digital footprint, the top 10 ranked Urology residency program websites appeared and this provides factual data based on one's digital identity, which can either benefit or harm a business or company.[26] A digital footprint is also made up upon someone's interaction on social media, such as the posts or comments they share on different social media sites. This provides us with factual data which makes interaction safer online, by knowing who one's true self through a digital footprint.[27]

Not only are doctors impacted by their digital footprint, but anyone that has a digital footprint will be impacted, especially those that will eventually enter the workforce. Job employers will likely look into applicants digital footprint during the hiring process. Job applicants who have a negative digital footprint, or a digital footprint that doesn't reflect their character well, will struggle landing a job.[28][29]

Not only do those entering the workforce need to consider the effect of their digital footprint, but also those who provides relevant information to teens.[30] Having a digital footprint may be dangerous for students, as affiliations such as college admissions staff and potential employers may decide to research into prospective students and employee's online profiles, leading to a large impact on the students' futures.[30] Teens will be set up for more success if they consider the kind of impact they are making along with how it can affect their future. Rather, someone who acts apathetic towards the impression they are making online will struggle if they one day choose to attend college or enter into the workforce.[31] Teens that plan on receiving a higher education will have their digital footprint reviewed and assessed as a part of the application process.[32] In addition, if the teens that have the intention of receiving a higher education are planning to do so with financial help and scholarships, then they need to consider that their digital footprint will be evaluated in the application process get scholarships.[33]

The negative impact of a digital footprint could be daunting and make one flee from social media in attempt to not have a digital footprint at all, yet this can be beneficial if thought about carefully and not carelessly. Experts advise people not to delete their accounts in an attempt to go off the map;[34] instead, experts advise doing the following actions in order to create an appealing digital footprint:

1. Research yourself: By doing this one can see what type of information follows them and is a part of their digital footprint.[29][31]
2. Think before posting: This will allow for time to consider whether or not this is something that should be a part of one's digital footprint. Sources say that those who do not consider all possible implications of what they post on the internet may be negatively affected when looking for employment.[35]
3. Highlight attractive traits and qualities: Using the Internet and social media outlets to highlight one's greatest attributes and qualities will allow the person to be seen in a positive light. Since it is already known that digital footprints are evaluated by potential job employers and universities in the application process then applicants should use that to their benefit and to make them look attractive.[32]

• Arya, Vikas; Sethi, Deepa; Paul, Justin (1 December 2019). "Does digital footprint act as a digital asset? – Enhancing brand experience through remarketing". International Journal of Information Management. 49: 142–156. doi:10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2019.03.013.