User:Tessagailf/sandbox

Edit of Digital Footprint:

Answering In-Class Questions-

1. This Wikipedia page seems to lack pictures as well as information about how early one accumulates a digital footprint and how it can impact things later on.

2. As far as the concerns on the "Talk" page go, I see that there is a need for this page to be updated to discuss more about the real world today and the relevance of this topic. The idea that this page needs to be edited comes from the fact that a digital footprint deals with technology and technology is so quickly changing. What someone may have added to this article a year ago could already be out of date as a result of our ever changing technological world.

3. The first WikiProject falls under the category of Internet, and any category falling under Internet also comes with many guidelines.

"Web Browser" SECTION.

This already exiting section has no clear meaning and seems to confuse the reader, so I am going to take its' content and redistribute it throughout. The first two sentences in the section are too general for such a specific heading, so I am going to take those two sentences and move them into the lead. The parts of this section that discuss passive and active digital footprint will be moved to the "Types of digital footprint" section.

"Privacy issues" SECTION.

A section of the article being dedicated to privacy is important and makes sense; however, some of the information does not seem fitting under this section and would be more relevant elsewhere.

Digital footprint or digital shadow refers to one's unique set of traceable digital activities, actions, contributions and communications that are manifested on the Internet or on digital devices.

There are two main classifications for digital footprints: passive and active. A passive digital footprint is created when data is collected without the owner knowing (also known as data exhaust), whereas active digital footprints are created when personal data is released deliberately by a user for the purpose of sharing information about oneself by means of websites or social media.

Tony Fish expounded upon the possible dangers of digital footprints in a 2007 self-published book. The closed loop takes data from the open loop and provides this as a new data input. This new data determines what the user has reacted to, or how they have been influenced. The feedback then builds a digital footprint based on social data, and the controller of the social digital footprint data can determine how and why people purchase and behave.

Katalin Fehér emphasized in her academic research paper about personal online strategies in 2017 that users leave digital footprints behind via online systems and new media. Human interactions and digitalized automatization imply decisions and dilemmas on account of online participation. The consequences are unpredictable: both former and updated records are available in an infinite digital present.

Types of 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 being able to see 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 of the features of keylogger is to monitor the clipboard for any changes. This may be problematic as the user may copy passwords or take screenshots of sensitive information which will then be logged.

Privacy issues

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. Scott McNealy, CEO of Sun Microsystems, said in 1999 Get Over It when referring to privacy on the Internet. This later became a commonly used quote in relationship to private data and what companies do with it.^{[citation needed]}

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

Effects on workforce

Doctors are highly searched on the internet which makes upholding and maintaining a digital footprint critical. A digital footprint is ones identity online which is based upon a person's personality or one's career path, but it is also based upon someone's activity through the internet. Most people nowadays, go online to search for doctors and read reviews, which is why a digital footprint for doctors is very important. This contains a lot of information on how to uphold and maintain a good digital footprint. 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. Digital identities are used for more than just searching doctors and other professions, it is also used for the entertainment people have with the internet and social interaction, which more people these days can relate to. 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 truly is through a digital footprint.

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. It is likely for job employers to 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.

Effects on teens

Not only do those entering the workforce need to consider the effect of their digital footprint, but this is also relevant information to teens. Teens will be set up for more success if they consider the kind of impact they are making and how these things will also affect their future. Rather, someone who is apathetic towards the impression they are making online will struggle if they one day choose to attend college or enter into the workforce. Teens that plan on receiving a higher education will have their digital footprint reviewed and assessed as a part of the application process. 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 for scholarships.

Build a positive digital footprint

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 a beneficial thing if thought about carefully and not carelessly.

1. Research yourself: By doing this one can see what type of information is following them and is apart of their digital footprint.
2. Think before posting: This will allow for time to consider whether or not this is something that should be apart 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.
3. Experts advise people to not delete their accounts in an attempt to go off the map because it does not actually work like that.
4. 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 use that to benefit you and make you look attractive.