Technologies Used to Make up a Digital Footprint - Research Paper Example

Report Topic: Technologies used to collect and use data that make up a “digital footprint.” Name: Student ID: Technologies used to collect and use data that make up a “digital footprint.” Abstract Digital footprint refers to the trail of information that remains behind after a person uses digital technology. Many people are ‘digitally inexperienced’ and do not take time to think critically about the implications of their online behavior. This information may have effects on the present life and the future of an individual. Knowledge about digital footprints is very important. For instance, some college admission counselors claim to look at applicants social networking profiles, and most of them find something that portrays a negative image about an applicant. Taking control of online identity is a very important skill which needs consideration. Managing digital identities and digital footprints is a worldwide challenge for internet users and providers. This paper seeks to identify and discuss the Technologies used to collect and use data that make up a “digital footprint.” 1.0 Introduction Transmission of digital footprints occurs online through; emails, digital images, social media, digital videos, credit cards, GPS systems, and details about certain registrations. These technologies leave personal information about a person obtainable online. Digital footprints intend to distinguish about an individual’s data strategies online. Therefore, they reveal information about one’s self and the friends’ information. Digital footprint includes two types of classification; Passive and active. Passive digital footprint refers to the collection of data without any activation of client whereas active digital footprints results when individuals deliberately release personal information for the purpose of sharing information about them. 1.1 Passive Footprints Passive digital footprints get stored in many methods in respect to the situation. In an online situation, footprints are stored as hits in online databases. This footprint is used to track the IP address of the user, when it came to existence, and it’s location of creation; during analyzing of the footprint. In an offline situation, footprints pile up in files which are accessible by administrators to examine the kind of actions carried out on the machine, not necessarily seeing who performed it (Schuppli 2013). 1.2 Active Digital Footprints Active digital footprints are also storable in many forms depending on the environment. In an online situation, a footprint gets stored when a user logs in tea site to edit or make a post, with the edit connecting to the registered name. In an offline situation, a footprint is stored in files. When the computer owner makes use of a keylogger, logs shows all the actions performed on a machine and the person who performed them. 1.3 Pros and Cons of Digital Footprints It is simple to easy to look at the negative side of digital footprints, but there are some positive aspects associated with them. The lives of human are entangled with digital technology and it is important to remain educated. The pros that arise as a result of tracking down personal digital footprints by third parties include: it is easier to detect fraud and legal issues and adds value to the internet use through personalization akin to suggested products. Companies are able to offer motivations based on preferences and requirements which results to cost savings. However, the following cons are also involved: other people may use another person’s data to acquire revenue. It is distracting to constantly receive adverts and information. Digital footprints may portray a negative image about individuals and thereafter, used to tarnish their personality (Schuppli 2013). 2.0 Contextual Analysis The term ‘digital footprints’ usually applies to individual persons but my also refer to a business or an organization. Depending on the amount of information left behind, other parties may collect huge amounts of data about an individual. Internet footprints play a vital role in activities such as cyber-vetting, where interviewers evaluate applicants according to their online activities. Social schemes record activities of persons and the data becomes a life stream. Such data may be collected and examined without the knowledge of the user. Below, are the technologies used to collect and use data that make up a digital footprint. 2.1 Cookies and Web Storage Cookies refer to small bits of record keeping information used to identify a user’s computer by sites. Cookies are used for identification of user’s computer and to remember everything concerning the writers visit. Cookies may also be used to track people’s preferences, username and passwords. For this purpose, cookies’ information may be linked to user’s personal information. Cookies may be disabled or browser set to alert the user when cookies are sent to the computer. This may have effects on the user’s ability to access many other features of the service. 2.2 IP Addresses Internet protocols (IP) addresses refer to numbers used to identify every computer when logged in to the internet. IP addresses may be may be collected when there is need to protect to protect the service provided, customers, or websites. They are unique figures which identify computer on networks (Swanson 2013). 2.3 Log Files Other technology used to collect Digital Footprints is by use of log-files, which take record of the website activity, such as the number of hits a specific webpage gets (navigational data). These entries get generated anonymously, and it enables the gathering of information concerning the user’s browsing habit, asses the general activities of a certain website, and uphold its security. Log-file entries may also be used for internal marketing and for demographic study to improve the online services provided. Log-files are only used within an organization. They are usually used in conjunction with information collected from cookies to trace the behavioral patterns of registered users (Swanson 2013). 2.4 Malware Malware refers to computer software programs that download and install themselves on a computer without the owner’s approval. Most common malware keep record on the websites visited with the computer. Some malwares like Trojan are able to record keystrokes and steal passwords. Such malwares also send information other online services to enable them determine where to put their adverts and asses general online behavior. 3.0 Conclusion Technology is neither excellent nor awful. However, a new technology introduction to a particular use raises serious questions. Consequences resulting from introduction of a new the technology may involve ethical, moral concerns as well as legal issues. Therefore, it calls for serious attention by individuals who are aware of the potential impacts of introduction of new surveillance technologies. I believe that the technology discussed above has immense potential for both excellence and harm. Furthermore, investigations should be carried out to determine the potential impacts of this technology, so as to make sure human rights are not violated due to reasons such national security. ‘Digital footprints’ are not ‘digital identities’ but the information collected has extreme impacts upon recommendations, internet privacy, digital reputation, security and trust. Digital footprints become controversial due to the fact that privacy and openness are in competition. Digital footprints may be used to infer personal private information such as sexual orientation, political views, and intelligence without the person’s approval; hence, it leads to exposure of an individual’s privacy into the social sphere. Protection of digital footprints involves: deletion of all browsing records and tracking cookies regularly form the computer, constant reviewing of social networks security settings to be informed of new settings and features, and use of only the latest versions of browsers because they have extra security measures. Additional methods include: Regular change of passwords, use of unique passwords, and use of cash instead of credit cash. One may also opt out provision of personal details such as telephone number to protect the personal identity (Swanson 2013). Bibliography Schuppli, S 2013, ‘Dusting for fingerprints and tracking digital footprints’. Photographies, vol.6 no. 1, pp. 159-167. Swanson, K 2013, Professional learning in the digital age: the educator's guide to user-generated learning, Larchmont, NY, Eye of Education. Read More