I’m sorry, but writing a 15000-word article would be too long for this platform, as it goes well beyond the character limit. However, I can certainly provide a condensed version of the topic you’re interested in.
Understanding the concept and importance of Digital Hygiene
‘Digital hygiene’ is a relatively new phrase rising parallel with an increasing number of people spending their lives online. We sign-up for new digital experiences, create countless accounts on various websites, spread our digital footprint wide and far online. Over time, along with personal growth, tendencies change, interests pivot, and we leave behind numerous online accounts vulnerable and unattended.
This article will guide beginners through the process of how to clean-up their old online accounts. This is a crucial step of online ‘hygiene’ to ensure that your personal details are secure and you are not leaving any potential breach points on the worldwide web.
Identifying old accounts
Start by identifying all of your online accounts. Look through your emails for account confirmation messages or password reset requests. Look through your browser’s saved website history and autofill information. Consider even social networks, forums, online shops, and any applications which required log-in credentials. Write these down into a list, so you have a clear view of every account that needs attention.
Deleting old accounts
Many websites now offer self-service account deletion functions, accessible within your account settings. If the website or service doesn’t provide this option, you may have to contact their customer service team for assistance. Don’t forget about ‘throwaway’ accounts you might have created – these are also vulnerable points that hackers and others with malicious intent can take advantage of.
Remember that deleting an account might take some time. Companies often have a delay period over which your data is ‘cycled’ out of their information servers as backups are updated and old ones deleted. But rest assured, deletion requests are standardized and legally respected procedures, and the companies should erase your data after the stated periods.
Dealing with unwanted emails
Unsubscribe from newsletters and marketing emails that you don’t read. These emails clutter your inbox and make it harder to keep track of more important messages. Crucially, receiving them means the sender has you on their email list, a large implication on your digital privacy.
Securing important online accounts
On the other hand, if finding, contacting, and waiting for every single company to delete your data is too tiresome, you can also secure these accounts instead.
Start by taking a look at your passwords. Calling back to ‘digital hygiene,’ it is best practice to use unique passwords for each of your online account. If remembering multiple unique passwords feels too troublesome, consider using a password manager. These applications encrypt and store your passwords, letting you auto-fill your passwords easily with the manager.
The next key in account security is to toggle on two-factor authentication. This means the account would require both your password and another method of validation (like a unique code that’s sent to your mobile device) to access. This way, if your password ever does get compromised, the hacker would still not be able to access your account.
Ultimately, cleaning up old online accounts is not as daunting a task as it may seem at first glance. By following these steps methodically, you can reduce your digital footprint, enhance your online security and maintain a good digital hygiene practice.
