“How to Protect Your Online Presence and Personal Information”

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In This Article:

1. Search Your Name
2. Opt Out of “Public Information” Listings
3. Be Online and on Social Media
4. Be Aware on Social Media
5. Keep Social Media Private
6. Use Strong Passwords and Multifactor Authentication
7. Take Action as Appropriate

In today’s digital age, your online reputation can be both a valuable asset and a potential liability. Building and maintaining a positive digital presence requires effort, but the consequences of neglecting it can be severe. Here are some steps to help you establish a strong digital reputation.

1. Search Your Name

It’s often called “ego-surfing,” but it’s wise to search your own name and those of your loved ones on search engines like Google or Bing. Use variations of your name, including middle names and initials, and search on social media platforms as well. This can help you identify any unwanted information or misrepresentations.

2. Opt Out of “Public Information” Listings

While searching, you may find your information on “people search” directories like Spokeo and UnMask. These sites gather data from public records, which can be exploited by malicious actors. Use their opt-out functions to remove your listings. If you need help, try searching for “opt out” along with the service’s name.

3. Be Online and on Social Media

Even if you’re not keen on social media, having a digital presence can prevent misunderstandings and mistaken identity. Secure a domain in your name and create accounts on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. If you prefer not to be active, set your account privacy settings to limit visibility.

4. Be Aware on Social Media

Remember, what you post online can last forever. Think twice before sharing photos or posts that could be embarrassing or damaging in the future. Posts depicting reckless behavior or illegal activities can have serious consequences, including affecting job prospects or attracting law enforcement attention.

5. Keep Social Media Private

Use privacy settings to share information only with your personal network. This isn’t foolproof, but it makes it harder for others to misuse your information. Consider changing your profile name to something other than your full name to make it more difficult to find you.

6. Use Strong Passwords and Multifactor Authentication

Protect your online accounts with unique, strong passwords and change them regularly. Consider using a password manager. Enable biometric authentication on your smartphone and multifactor authentication (MFA) on other accounts to add an extra layer of security.

7. Take Action as Appropriate

If you find incorrect information or fraudulent activity, report it to the relevant platform and change your passwords immediately. For serious issues like identity theft or defamation, consider seeking professional legal advice.

The Bottom Line

Monitoring the information you share online and what others post about you can help maintain a positive digital reputation. It can also prevent identity theft and protect your credit. For additional protection, consider using a service like identity monitoring from Experian.

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