Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Looking for a quick way to determining digital shoe size? Write down every site on the In-
ternet you have created a user account for. Sound impossible? For most of us, we have cast
such a wide personal net across the web that it is insurmountable to go back and accurately
pinpoint where we've left information about ourselves. Attempting to complete this exer-
cise may bring on the realization that caging the Internet beast that is your personal inform-
ation is next to impossible, and for the most part, it is. Fortunately, there are organizations
and free software offerings that can help you bring your data monster into submission.
Erasing Your Digital Footprint
Now that you've had the chance to measure just how big your footprint is, what steps can
be taken to try and erase it? Let's start with cookies.
A simple way to ensure safe browsing without a trail is to make sure you are cleaning out
your cache of cookies on your computer. Accessing the preferences option in any browser
and clicking the “delete cookies” option can easily do this. A word of warning though:
those users who enjoy autologin and personal customization and personalization of sites
you frequent will be deleted. If you would like a more thorough method of cleaning up
cookies, as well as Internet history and other tracking tools, there are free options avail-
able. A popular software offering (and a Maximum favorite) for Windows users is CClean-
er. CCleaner, which is available as a free download or pay version (if you want technical
support included), cleans all Internet history, cookies, auto-complete forms, and index files
from your computer. Supported browsers include IE, Firefox, Chrome, Opera and Safari.
Another option to clean cookies on your computer, particularly flash cookies, is a freeware
program called Flash Cookie Cleaner. Flash cookies are simply cookies created by Adobe
Flash plug-ins on websites that perform the same snooping tasks as regular cookies. Flash
Cookie Cleaner works to eliminate these files, but also contains options to save cookies to
sites you trust and wish to keep information on.
Another easy way to erase your digital footprint is to make sure you are deleting accounts
to websites you no longer frequent. Sites can often employ difficult account cancellation
practices, which can discourage users from going through the trouble. Smashing Magazine
writer Cameron Chapman has compiled an excellent article on how to delete your account
from popular websites. This can be one of the quickest ways to erase your personal data,
making it unavailable to be used by one company or sold to another. Still have your Friend-
ster, MySpace, or Bebo account active? That data is still available for others to see.
Erasing personal information that has already been made public on the web should be the
next step in your clean-out process. Do a basic search of your name on sites such as Spoke,
