Digital Footprint

A digital footprint is a trail of data you create while using the Internet. It includes the websites you visit, emails you send, and information you submit to Online services.

A “passive digital footprint” is a data trail you unintentionally leave Online. For example, when you visit a website, the web server may log your IP address, which identifies your Internet service provider and your approximate location. A more personal aspect of your passive digital footprint is your search history, which is saved by some search engines while you are logged in.

An “active digital footprint” includes data that you intentionally submit Online. Sending an email contributes to your active digital footprint, since you expect the data to be seen and/or saved by another person.