What Does the Internet Know About You?

Every time you post a photo, sign up for a class forum, or “like” a video, you’re adding to your digital footprint—the trail of data that follows you online. It’s easy to overlook just how much information we give away every day, especially on a college campus where life is fast-paced and increasingly digital.

But whether you’re a student, faculty member, or staff, your online activity has real-world consequences—and understanding your footprint is the first step to protecting your privacy.

What Is a Digital Footprint?

Your digital footprint is the sum of all the information about you that exists online. That includes things you post or share yourself (active footprint) and data collected about you behind the scenes (passive footprint), like:

• Location data from apps

• Cookies and trackers on websites

• Login credentials used across platforms

• Public comments or usernames on class discussion boards

Why It Matters on Campus

Your digital footprint can affect more than just your social life:

• Job and internship recruiters often search applicants online

• Scholarships or grad programs may review your public content

• Scammers and phishers target personal details from social media and student directories

• Sensitive academic info may be shared unintentionally on public platforms

For example, sharing your schedule or travel plans on Instagram may seem harmless—but it can also reveal when you’re not home or on campus, opening the door to risks.

Who Can See Your Data?

You might be surprised. Here’s a quick list of who might have access to your digital footprint:

• Social media platforms and advertisers analyzing your behavior

• Data brokers collecting and selling your personal info

• Peers, roommates, or coworkers who can search your public posts

How to Take Control

Here are a few easy ways to protect your privacy without going off the grid:

1. Check Privacy Settings

Review privacy and security settings on:

• Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook

• Class tools like Slack, Discord, Canvas forums

• Google or Microsoft accounts linked to school

2. Use OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) Tools

• Have I Been Pwned
  • Use for: Checking if your email or phone number has been exposed in a data breach
  • How it works: Enter your email address to see if it was found in leaked databases
• Google Results About You
  • Use it for: Finding and removing personal information (like your phone number, home address, or email) that appears in Google Search results.
  • How it works: It scans Google Search for your personal info and lets you request removal with a click.
• Google Maps + Street View
  • Use for: Visual recon (e.g., verifying addresses, checking building entrances)
  • How it works: Type in any address or location and explore via street view
• TinEye or Google Reverse Image Search
  • Use for: Tracing where an image has been used before (e.g., profile photos, scam job listings)
  • How it works: Upload or paste image URL to find other locations it appears online

3. Check Your Credit

• AnnualCreditReport.com

  • Use it for: Getting your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—the three major credit bureaus.

  • How it works: You can request one free report from each bureau every year (or weekly through 2026).

• Credit Karma

  • Use it for: Free ongoing credit score tracking and alerts from TransUnion and Equifax.

  • How it works: Create an account, and Credit Karma shows your credit score, report summaries, and any changes.

Bonus Tip: Set a Fraud Alert

• You can ask any of the three major bureaus to place a free fraud alert on your credit file.

• This makes it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.

Quick Tips for Everyone

For Students:

• Keep your student email private—don’t use it to sign up for random sites.

• Use private settings for class discussion boards or project platforms.

For Faculty & Staff:

• Don’t share personal contact info in course syllabi posted online.

• Make sure your office/location isn’t visible in public directories unless necessary.

Bonus: Clean Up Your Online Presence

Take 15 minutes and:

• Un-tag yourself from old photos

• Opt out of data broker sites like Spokeo or BeenVerified

• Request takedowns for outdated or incorrect info, where possible

“Your digital footprint is like glitter. No matter how much you try to clean it up you’ll always leave some (or even most!) behind!”

— Emily Harris JD, CISSP, CIPP/US
Chief Information Security Officer

Want to Know More?

gbhackers | ESET Details on How to Manage Your Digital Footprint

ExpressVPN | How your digital footprint can impact your life

Kaspersky | How to shrink your digital footprint

CyberInsider | How to Easily Delete Your Digital Footprint in 2025