Digital Footprints

Digital identity refers to the on-line presence a user establishes through cyberspace and are often referred to as on-line profiles. Digital footprints are based on social data and determine the areas of interest of on-line users. Digital footprints also help determine who people are, why the behave the way they do, and what causes them to act and/or react. Through my research I learned that there are two types of digital footprints; active and passive. An active digital footprint is created by the release of personal data that is deliberate and for the purpose of sharing information about themselves. A passive digital footprint is created when data is collected in regards to an action without any client activation (Wikipedia).

My digital identity consists of a multitude of social media sites as well as organization boards and favourite websites. I like to think that my digital identity is quite similar to my physical identity. I do not feel as though I live a separate online life in comparison to the one I am living in the real world. When I am posting photos, status updates or tweets online, I make sure I am posting them exactly how I would in the physical world. To me having two different identities is a lie. I don't believe that you can be two different people (other than Schizophrenic's) so I try and stay true to who I am as a real person. I think that additional online identities are the reason networks are unsafe. Sometimes, you just never know who you are talking to. That being said, on all sites I belong to, my privacy settings are on. I don't think people I am not friends with or don't know need to be following all of the things I do. I protect my identity by updating my settings often and doing online searches of myself to ensure that I can't be found by just anyone.



I am a big country music fan, so I thought this video about being online would be perfect to share. Basically, it goes against everything I believe in, but is so common in today's society.

Online - Brad Paisley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE6iAjEv9dQ&feature=kp