Who’s Watching? Steps Every Woman Should Take to Safeguard Her Digital Footprint

Powered by AI and the women in tech community.

Stay safe online by regularly updating privacy settings, using strong passwords and 2FA, being cautious on public Wi-Fi, monitoring accounts, managing cookies, avoiding phishing, limiting shared info, cleaning up your digital footprint, securing devices, and educating yourself on scams.

Stay safe online by regularly updating privacy settings, using strong passwords and 2FA, being cautious on public Wi-Fi, monitoring accounts, managing cookies, avoiding phishing, limiting shared info, cleaning up your digital footprint, securing devices, and educating yourself on scams.

Contribute to three or more articles across any domain to qualify for the Contributor badge. Please check back tomorrow for updates on your progress.

Contribute to three or more articles across any domain to qualify for the Contributor badge. Please check back tomorrow for updates on your progress.

Privacy Settings Check-up

Always review and adjust your privacy settings on social media and other online platforms frequently. Limit what strangers can see and who can tag you in posts. High privacy settings can act as the first barrier against potential digital threats. ### 2. Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication Use complex and unique passwords for each of your online accounts to prevent unauthorized access. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible for an additional layer of security. This makes it harder for anyone to hack into your accounts. ### 3. Be Cautious with Public Wi-Fi Avoid conducting sensitive transactions or accessing personal accounts via public Wi-Fi networks. If necessary, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your online activity from potential snoopers. ### 4. Regularly Monitor Accounts and Credit Reports Keep an eye on your bank statements, social media accounts, and credit reports for any unusual activity. Early detection of fraudulent transactions can help prevent financial loss and identity theft. ### 5. Understand and Manage Cookies Cookies can track your online behavior. Regularly clear your cookies and understand the privacy policies of websites you frequent. Adjust your browser settings to limit or block cookies where possible. ### 6. Be Wary of Phishing Attempts Be skeptical of emails, messages, and phone calls that ask for personal information or direct you to a website where you need to input personal details. Verify the source before responding to such requests. ### 7. Limit Personal Information Shared Online Think before you share personal information such as your birth date, address, or vacation plans online. Even seemingly harmless information can be used by cybercriminals to steal your identity or plan a burglary. ### 8. Clean Up Your Digital Footprint Periodically google yourself to see what information about you is public. Request the removal of any unwanted or sensitive information from websites. Also, consider deleting old accounts you no longer use. ### 9. Secure Your Devices Install reputable antivirus software on your devices and keep all software up to date to protect against malware attacks. Also, utilize the lock screen options on your devices to protect your data in case of theft or loss. ### 10. Educate Yourself on the Latest Scams Stay informed about the latest online scams and threats. The more you know, the better you can protect yourself. Cybercriminals constantly evolve their tactics, so continuous education is key to maintaining digital safety.

Add your perspective

What else to take into account

This section is for sharing any additional examples, stories, or insights that do not fit into previous sections. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Add your perspective

Online Safety for Women

Want to contribute ? We select experts based on their experience and skills.

Learn more about becoming a contributor.

Rate this article

More articles on Online Safety for Women

See all

More relevant reading

Training and Education in Cybersecurity
What Future Cybersecurity Training Trends Will Impact Women the Most?
Mentorship in Cybersecurity
What Are the Key Benefits of Peer Mentorship Among Women in Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity Career Paths for Women
How Can Women Break Into and Excel in Cybersecurity Careers?
Mentorship in Cybersecurity
How Does Mentorship Unlock Opportunities for Women in Cybersecurity?