Every time we register on a website, make a purchase, or simply like a post, we leave a digital footprint. This data is collected by data brokers, social networks, and can be used against you.

While it is impossible to completely "erase" yourself from the Web (the internet remembers everything), you can make life much harder for those who decide to compile a dossier on you. This is especially important if you've studied the topic on a business scale, for example, by reading our material on the Digital Footprint of a Company.

Step 1: Deleting Old Accounts

The first thing to do is remember all the services you have ever used.

Search your inbox: look for words like "Welcome", "Account Activation", "Registration Confirmation".

Log into old accounts and delete them via settings. If there is no "Delete" button, change your first name, last name, and date of birth to fictitious ones before abandoning the profile.

Step 2: Opting Out of Data Collection

Google, Apple, Facebook, and other giants allow you to partially disable data collection. In your Google account settings, go to the "Data & Privacy" section. Turn off location history and YouTube search history.

Step 3: Checking for Leaks

Make sure your passwords and emails have not leaked online. You can use free registries and databases for this (we wrote more about such services in the article on Counterparty Check). If your email is compromised, immediately change all passwords on services linked to that email.

Step 4: Removal from Search Engines

You can request Google to remove your personal data (such as phone numbers or home addresses) from search results. Google has a special request form for this.

Of course, all this does not guarantee 100% anonymity, but it significantly cleans up your profile and protects against basic cyber threats.