Active vs Passive Digital Footprints

What is a Digital Footprint?

The term digital footprint refers to the trail of data and information left behind whenever an individual uses the internet. This footprint can include anything from websites visited, social media posts made, or even location data tracked by apps. Essentially, every action taken online contributes to your digital footprint, whether intentional or not.

Digital footprints provide valuable insights into a person’s or business’s online behavior, which can be used for positive purposes (like personalizing services) and negative ones (like exploiting data for cyberattacks). For companies, understanding and managing digital footprints is crucial for ensuring privacy and preventing exposures, impersonations, breaches, etc.

In this article, we look at the two types of digital footprints: active and passive, and identify why both are crucial to every company’s security strategy.

What Is an Active Digital Footprint?

An active digital footprint is created when you knowingly and intentionally share information online. This includes any time you take a direct action that leaves behind data, whether for personal or professional use. Here are some common examples:

• Posting on Social Media: Sharing updates, pictures, or articles on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter.
• Filling Out Forms: Signing up for newsletters, creating online accounts, or entering personal details into a contact form.
• Sending Emails or Messages: Each time you send an email or a message on apps like Slack or WhatsApp, you leave an active trace of your communication.
• Online Purchases: Every time you make a transaction on an e-commerce platform, you actively provide information such as your name, address, and payment details.
• Participating in Online Communities: Whether commenting on blogs, joining forums, or attending webinars, your active participation leaves a trail of data.

In essence, active digital footprints are formed when users are aware of their interactions and the data they’re sharing.

What Is a Passive Digital Footprint?

A passive digital footprint is created without your direct input or even knowledge. This data is collected in the background as you interact with digital platforms. Unlike active footprints, passive ones often happen without your explicit consent or awareness. Examples include:

• Website Tracking: Many websites collect information about visitors, such as IP addresses, browsing behavior, or cookies. Even if you don’t interact with the site, your visit can be tracked and logged.
• Location Data: Apps and websites often track your geographic location, sometimes even after you’ve closed them, creating a record of your movements.
• Search History: Every time you perform a search on Google or another search engine, data about your queries is logged and stored, contributing to your passive footprint.
• Ad Tracking: When you browse the web, advertisers may track your behavior through cookies to target you with personalized ads.

Passive digital footprints are often more difficult to control because they’re created automatically. Many users aren’t even aware that they are leaving these traces behind.

Why Do Digital Footprints Matter to Your Business?

For businesses, both active and passive digital footprints have important implications, especially when it comes to security and privacy. Here’s why understanding these types of footprints matters:

1. Active Digital Footprints: The Threat of Oversharing

Employees often leave active digital footprints through the content they post online, including professional social media updates, emails, or participation in webinars. While these interactions may seem harmless, they can become security risks if sensitive information is accidentally shared. For example, a well-meaning employee might post about a new company project, inadvertently revealing details that could be used by cybercriminals to target the business.

To mitigate these risks, businesses should:

• Train employees to be mindful of what they share online, especially on public platforms.
• Establish social media policies to limit oversharing of sensitive company information.
• Implement tools from companies like Digital Risk Inc. to detect instances of oversharing or accidental leaks of sensitive data across public platforms, helping to uncover potential vulnerabilities early. 

2. Passive Digital Footprints: The Hidden Vulnerabilities

Passive digital footprints are particularly dangerous because they’re often created without the user’s awareness. Employees may visit websites, use apps, or log into platforms without realizing that their activity is being tracked. This can expose the company to data leaks or cyberattacks, especially if third-party services collect and store information about employees or the business itself.

For instance, if an employee connects their work device to an unsecured website or app, data about their login details, location, or browsing habits could be collected and exploited by cybercriminals.

To manage passive footprint risks, companies should:

• Use secure networks and virtual private networks (VPNs) for remote work.
• Implement strict guidelines for using third-party apps and websites on work devices.
• Conduct regular audits to monitor and assess the passive footprints employees may leave behind.

How to Manage Digital Footprints Effectively

Managing both active and passive digital footprints is critical to protecting your business from security threats. Here are a few best practices to get started:

• Educate Employees: Employees should be aware of how their online actions contribute to both active and passive footprints. Training programs can help employees recognize the risks of oversharing or using unsecured networks.
• Implement Strong Security Measures: Ensure your company uses secure browsing methods, such as VPNs, encrypted communications, and multi-factor authentication, to limit passive footprints from being exploited.
• Regular Assessments: Periodically assess the digital footprints of employees to ensure sensitive data isn’t being exposed through external websites, apps, or social media platforms. 

Conclusion

Digital footprints are an inevitable part of our online lives. While active digital footprints involve intentional actions, passive footprints are created without our knowledge, making them more difficult to control. For businesses, both types present risks that can lead to data breaches, security vulnerabilities, and regulatory challenges. By understanding the difference between active and passive digital footprints and taking steps to manage them, companies can better protect their data, employees, and reputation from cyber threats.