How to Delete Your Digital Footprint Before It's Too Late: Here's the Easy Way

When browsing the internet and accessing various applications and websites, users leave behind a “digital footprint” – a record of all their online activities saved on the internet. Some of this digital data is personal and must be protected, as it can be exploited by unscrupulous individuals to launch cybersecurity attacks.

Additionally, digital footprints are used by advertisers to target audiences, meaning the advertisements appearing on users’ devices are relevant to their online habits and activities. There are both negative and positive aspects to digital footprints scattered across the internet. They allow algorithms to become smarter at delivering relevant information to users, and they make it easier for users to access sites they have previously visited.

However, digital footprints can cause problems if exploited illegally by cybercriminals. Digital footprints used for advertising purposes can also cause discomfort to users.

For those wishing to delete their digital footprint, there are several straightforward methods to do so.

Using Incognito Mode

With this method, applications will not record the sites visited or save the keywords used. However, it should be noted this does not mean you are exempt from monitoring. For example, when logging into Facebook, that social media platform will still record your activities. To hide your Internet Service Provider (ISP), use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when using the internet.

Checking for Data Breaches

Users should also check whether they have become victims of data breaches, given the many cases affecting various platforms recently, including Yahoo and Adobe. This can be done using the “Have I Been Pwned?” website to determine whether your data has been compromised. After visiting the website, enter your email address, and you will see whether your data has ever experienced a breach.

Deleting All Cookies

This method prevents websites from tracking you. Deleting cookies can be done across all browsers such as Chrome and Firefox. Cookies can be deleted individually or all at once with the help of third-party tools such as Advanced System Optimizer.

Limiting Tracking

Some data may be tracked by applications. However, some allow users to use Incognito mode if requested. It is best to check the application settings first to stop tracking. If you cannot find this option, delete all activity manually. This process varies depending on the operating system used.

Deleting Search History

Several applications rely on storing user data locally or on the cloud, so they can link information to other devices. This means that to delete search logs from your mobile phone, you must delete records across various platforms. For example, a Google account stores search history from your Android phone. To delete it, access Google from the web and open the activity history page, then delete it.

Using DeleteMe Services

Data brokers, such as Spokeo, Whitepages.com, and PeopleFinder, collect information and sell it to third parties. Services like DeleteMe or DesseatMe can help clean up your digital footprint.

Checking Data Stored by Google

To delete your digital footprint, internet users should also check the activity data stored by Google. In daily internet activities, Google is likely one of the most frequently used services. However, it is important to know that this technology giant tracks its users’ movements.

Tracking even occurs when users have turned off location history on the platform. It should be noted that data stored after tracking is disabled will not disappear. Google will not store information in the future, but data that has already been stored previously will not be deleted.

How to Delete Internet History

In addition to ensuring you are not tracked on the internet, you can also delete digital footprints on your phone or mobile device by regularly deleting your browsing history. Here’s how:

Google Chrome

To delete history in Google Chrome, click the three dots to enter the menu. Next, select Settings and in the sidebar open the Privacy & Security menu. Then select “Clear browsing data.” You must choose the time period you want to delete, then click “Clear data.”

Note that if you set your browser to sync with another computer through a Google account, deleting history on one device will have the same effect on other devices.

Mozilla Firefox

First, click the three horizontal lines on the right to enter the menu. Then select Settings > Privacy & Security and scroll down to Cookies & Site Data. You can delete all data and manage data to have control over what is deleted. You can also check the box to delete browsing data every time you close Firefox if you do not want to do it manually.

Safari

In Safari, first open the menu and click “Clear History.” Select the time range of the data you want to delete and click “Clear History.” When deleting history in Safari, you cannot get the option to delete various types of data, so cookies and cache files are also deleted.

Microsoft Edge

Windows 11 users can delete their history by pressing the three-dot icon on the right. Continue by selecting “Settings” from the menu that appears. In the Privacy menu, find “Clear browsing data” and click “Choose what to clear.” Select options from the list, including browsing history and cache data. Finally, click “Clear Now.”

Opera

First, click the Settings icon on the right side of the address bar. In the menu that appears, scroll and find Privacy & Security next to “Browsing data,” then click “Clear.” Next, you can select the type of data you want to delete, including determining the time range. Once everything is complete, click the confirmation button.