Digital+Footprints

A **DIGITAL FOOTPRINT** is the electronic evidence of a computer user's activity (online, on the hard-drive, etc.). This term has also been used interchangeably on the Web with Digital Identity, although they have a variance in definition. These "footprints" can be left by joining a website, posting to blogs, releasing any personal information online, or even just connecting to the internet in some cases. Other internet users may create digital footprints of you by releasing information about you or in some cases, posing as you. Users are learning more and more about this concept and have come to realize that they might just be able to Google themselves and find their digital footprints. On a more serious note, users must be careful not to leave such a footprint that they will be the target of unwanted audiences.

__How do you find your digital footprint?__ [|Google] yourself! Then automate it using a [|Google Alert].

__Why is your digital footprint important?__ [|Good Example] [|Bad Example] 25% of employers are (currently) checking on candidates before hiring them for a job (this # will most likely go up)

__How to improve your digital footprint__ Create professional online presence using a social network like linkedIn Create a professional Website or blog Comment on other professional blogs If in doubt, don't post it online! Build a positive online presence - be a content producer, not a consumer!

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This site was created by Melissa Goodwin of ESA2