Your online identity is the collection of information that represents you on the internet, such as your name, email address, username, password, profile picture, biographical data, preferences, interests, browsing history, and more.
How your info is used
- Providing you with personalized services, content, and recommendations based on your online behavior and preferences. For example, Netflix uses your viewing history and ratings to suggest movies and shows you might like
- Showing you targeted ads based on your online activity, location, demographics, and interests. For example, Google uses your search queries, web history, and cookies to display relevant ads on its platforms and partner sites
- Improving their products, features, and user experience by analyzing your feedback, usage patterns, and preferences. For example, Microsoft uses your voice data to improve its speech recognition and translation services
- Protecting you and their systems from fraud, abuse, and security threats by verifying your identity, detecting suspicious activity, and enforcing their policies and terms of service. For example, Facebook uses your phone number and email address to confirm your identity and help you recover your account if you forget your password or get hacked
Questionable ways your info is used
- They can collect and sell your information without your consent
- They could trade your information in dark pools to anonymous entities
- Some marketing companies do very little to protect your data properly
- Track users across many websites without their consent or knowledge
- Sell or share user data to data brokers or questionable advertising firms with a questionable background
- Sell user data to cybercriminals
- Do not report data breaches or compromises to end users
Why protecting your online identity is important
Identity Theft
Cybercriminals can steal your personal information and use it to impersonate you, access your accounts, make fraudulent transactions, or apply for credit in your name. For example, in 2017, Equifax, one of the largest credit reporting agencies in the US, suffered a massive data breach that exposed the personal information of 147 million people, including names, social security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and driver’s license numbers
Online tracking
Third-party trackers, such as advertisers, analytics providers, and social media platforms, can monitor your online activity across different websites and devices, and create detailed profiles of your behavior, interests, and preferences. For example, Facebook tracks your activity on other websites and apps that use its services, such as the Like button, Facebook Login, or Facebook Pixel, even if you are not logged in or do not have a Facebook account.
Online harassment
Online trolls, bullies, stalkers, or haters can use your online identity to target you with abusive, hateful, or threatening messages, comments, or posts. They can also spread false or damaging information about you, or expose your private or sensitive information to the public, such as your photos, videos, or personal details. This is also known as doxing. For example, in 2014, a group of hackers leaked nude photos and videos of several celebrities, such as Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Upton, and Kirsten Dunst, after hacking their iCloud accounts.
Social media also comes with its own challenges
Oversharing
You may be tempted to share too much information about yourself, your opinions, your feelings, or your activities on social media, without considering the potential consequences or the audience. This can make you vulnerable to identity theft, online tracking, online harassment, or unwanted attention from strangers, employers, or authorities. For example, in 2013, a teenager named Jacob Cox-Brown posted on Facebook that he had hit a car while driving drunk. His post was seen by the police, who arrested him and charged him with two counts of failing to perform the duties of a driver.
Peer pressure
You may feel pressured to conform to the expectations, norms, or trends of your social media network, such as posting certain types of content, liking or commenting on certain posts, or following or unfollowing certain accounts. This can affect your self-esteem, identity, and authenticity, as well as expose you to harmful or inappropriate content, such as violence, hate speech, or misinformation. For example, in 2019, a 17-year-old girl named Bianca Devins was murdered by a man she met on Instagram, who then posted graphic photos of her dead body on the platform. The photos were widely shared and commented on by other users, some of whom praised the killer or blamed the victim.
Addiction
You may become addicted to social media, spending too much time and attention on it, at the expense of your other activities, responsibilities, or relationships. This can affect your mental health, physical health, productivity, and well-being, as well as make you more susceptible to online manipulation, persuasion, or influence. For example, in 2016, a study by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that young adults who use social media frequently are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, loneliness, and low self-worth than those who use it less often.
How you can protect your identity
- Use strong and unique passwords for each of your online accounts, and change them regularly. You can also use a password manager to generate and store your passwords securely.
- Alternatively, you can use biometric authentication, such as your fingerprint or face, to unlock your devices or accounts, if available.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) for your online accounts, especially those that contain sensitive or important information, such as your email, bank, or social media accounts. 2FA or MFA adds an extra layer of security to your login process, by requiring you to enter a code, answer a question, or use a device, in addition to your password.
- Review and adjust your privacy and security settings on each of the websites and apps you use, and make sure you understand and agree with their policies and terms of service. You can also use tools such as Privacy Badger or Ghostery to block or limit the online trackers that follow you around the web.
- Be careful about what you share, post, or comment on social media, and who you interact with. Think before you click, and ask yourself: Is this information true, relevant, and appropriate? Who can see it, and how can they use it? How will it affect me and others? You can also use tools such as Signal or Telegram to communicate privately and securely with your friends and family, using encryption and self-destructing messages.
- Use a VPN (virtual private network) to encrypt your internet traffic and hide your online activity from your internet service provider, network administrator, or third-party snoops. You can also use Tor Browser or DuckDuckGo to browse the web anonymously and avoid online tracking and censorship.
- Signing up for regular credit reports can help protect your identity online by allowing you to monitor your credit history and detect any suspicious or unauthorized activity on your accounts. Credit Report
- Update your devices, apps, and browsers regularly, and install reputable antivirus and anti-malware software to protect them from viruses, worms, ransomware, spyware, and other malicious programs that can compromise your online identity and privacy. You can also use tools such as Glary Utilities or BleachBit to delete your browsing history, cookies, cache, and other temporary files that may contain your personal information.