eSmart

Your digital footprint

Almost everything you do with technology leaves a trace: something called a digital footprint.

* Your digital footprint is a map of everywhere you've been with your technology - everyone you've spoken to, every image, chat or comment you've posted, and every file you've downloaded.

* Digital footprints are almost impossible to erase.

* Text messages, photos and emails can be saved by the person you sent them to, and then forwarded to many more people than you ever intended. 

* You can delete a blog, a comment or image you've put online, but many people may have downloaded and saved it before you delete it - and a copy is always saved in the site's archive.

* Even a one-on-one IM chat can go public if the person you're talking to decides to record or copy it.