Digital Footprint: An Information Atheneum for Hackers

Abstract: The personal information which we post/share online is called a Digital Footprint. Most of us have a digital footprint over the internet be it knowingly or unknowingly. Technology and our personal information are getting intertwined as we become more and more dependent on technology for everyday activities. With basic information such as names, addresses, and phone numbers; personal information also includes one’s demographic location, interests, relationship status, and social media accounts that can be tracked easily. Teenagers nowadays are so engrossed with technology that they spend most of their time on social media. Relationship status, personal images, and videos are shared on an everyday basis. With a such wide variety of personal information being captured and exposed online, private life is not so “private”. This study proposes how digital footprints can impact an individual by measuring the discoverability of various types of personal information.

Keywords: OSINT, digital footprint, personal data, technology, cybersecurity, awareness, social media