Digital Footprint
What is a digital footprint?
The record of everything you do online, including posts, comments, and searches.
What is the main difference between privacy and security?
Privacy protects personal information; security defends against cyber threats.
What is one thing you should never include in your password?
Your name, birthday, personal info, or the word “password”
What is phishing?
A scam where hackers trick users into giving personal info via fake emails or websites.
Why should you avoid sharing personal details (like your full name) publicly?
To prevent identity theft and stalking.
Name one place where someone can find your digital footprint.
Social media, search engines, websites, online shopping history.
Give an example of a privacy setting you can adjust on social media.
Make accounts private, limit who sees posts, disable location tracking.
What is two-factor authentication (2FA)?
A security feature that requires a second form of verification (e.g., code sent to phone).
What is the purpose of a firewall?
To block unauthorized access to a computer or network.
What is an example of oversharing online?
Posting vacation plans before the trip, home address, cell phone number, or school name.
True or False: Deleting a post completely erases it from the internet.
False. Even deleted posts may be archived, screenshotted, or stored on backup servers.
True or False: A strong password is enough to completely secure an account.
False. Two-factor authentication and other measures are needed.
True or False: You should use the same password for multiple accounts.
False. Each account should have a unique password.
Name a common types of malware.
Viruses, ransomware, spyware, trojans, worms.
True or False: It’s safe to accept friend requests from strangers on social media.
False. They could be scammers or impersonators.
What are two ways to manage your digital footprint?
* adjust privacy settings
* think before posting
* delete unused accounts
* use strong passwords.
What is an example of a situation where privacy and security conflict?
Encryption protects privacy but can make it harder for security agencies to track criminals.
Name three characteristics of a strong password.
* 8+ characters long
* complex (mix of upper/lowercase letters, numbers, symbols)
* not easily guessed (1234, ABCD, etc)
* different for every login
What should you do if you receive an email saying you won a contest you never entered?
Don’t click links, report it as spam, and delete the email.
What are two risks of geotagging your posts?
Revealing your location to strangers, making you a target for theft.
How can a digital footprint affect future opportunities (college, jobs, etc.)?
Employers and colleges review online activity, and inappropriate content may impact decisions.
Explain why companies track user data and how that affects privacy.
Companies collect data for advertising, but it can be misused or sold.
You get an email asking you to ‘reset your password immediately’ with a suspicious link. What should you do?
Don’t click the link. Visit the official site directly or report the email.
How does social engineering trick people into giving away personal information?
By manipulating trust (e.g., pretending to be a friend, coworker, or authority figure).
How can adjusting privacy settings help protect your social media accounts?
Limits who can see posts, preventing data collection and cyberstalking.