6 recommendations from an expert to erase your mark on the Internet

Controlling the personal data we leave on the Internet is becoming increasingly complex. An expert gives us the keys to taking control of our digital footprint

Have you been surprised to see that ad on social networks that you were talking about with a friend in the morning? How does your cell phone know when you’re out of toothpaste? Do you know what your fingerprint is? Photos. Individual keys. family information. Bank data. Taste and preference. It’s unimaginable what the Internet knows about you.,

With so much of our communication being digital, We ultimately leave a mark that outlines our profile, Preventing this from happening is becoming more and more complex, but it is possible to erase part of the trace that we leave when we browse the Internet. On many occasions, mainly due to ignorance, we usually authorize our data to remain in the hands of social networks, websites and applications.

Sibelé Oliveira, director of the Brazilian organization Casa Hacker, offers yahoo finance 6 recommendations on how to clean your fingerprint:

1. Check who talks about you

Analyze what results individual searches give you on Google, Brave, Edge, FireFox or any other search engine. Even information about you that is visible in incognito mode. Experts suggest taking advantage of the Data Detox Kit platform created by Mozilla in 2017 and provides a guide of daily steps to take control of your privacy, security and well-being.

Also read: Becoming a victim of bank robbery is now easier than you think: how to avoid falling into the trap

2. Try making a direct request to remove the information

“You can directly contact the website where you found the information and request its removal,” Oliveira explains. Google, for example, offers itself as an arbiter to handle these requests on sites with abusive practices.

3.Close social networks you don’t use

Not only logging out is not enough, but you also have to delete your profile. Each platform has a different way of doing it, and more complex degrees of difficulty. “In 2018, following the Cambridge Analytica scandal, a harmful practice by Facebook became clear: shadow profiles. This involves collecting information from users without their consent. Now, with different privacy laws, your data must be deleted when necessary,’ recalls the expert.

Continue reading story

4. Read the fine print

Each platform has its own rules and policies, so it’s always important to read what’s allowed. Oliveira warns that some people, when uploading photos and data, capture images primarily. “They’re theirs now.”

Also read: The new trend of ‘rent a friend’: 5 applications that allow you to make money just by talking or giving emotional support

5.Organize your phone

Delete unused apps and adjust app settings. Adjust your browser and search engine. Turn on privacy settings. Delete unused apps and restrict settings on your phone. “Smart devices require smart users: adjust settings and limit data collection,” experts say.

6. Rely on companies that provide “cleaning” services

Although you can do it “manually”, Oliveira points out that there are companies dedicated to these activities. You can pay between $120 and $200 annually to hire a digital tracking and cleaning service from one of the best companies ranked by specialized website Zdnet. They offer not only the possibility to address old email and social network accounts, but also to verify personal data created by various online services. DeleteMe, Incogni and Canary top their list.

You may also be interested. on video

Google wants to end the use of passwords