FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

Your Digital FootprintMichael Helfrich

Milton RamerCourtney Lisenbee

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

Who are we?

• Name, Major, Current Internships, Career Goals, etc!

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

Overview

• What is a digital footprint?• What does your footprint look like?• Reasons you should care• How to be safe• Managing your digital footprint

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

What is a Digital Footprint?

• A digital footprint is a trail of data left behind on digital services.

• A footprint can include a text message, picture, tweet, post, video, etc…

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

Why do I care?

• You are leaving behind a trace of what you’ve done and what you’ll do.

• Employers (and the GOVT) will perform a search to learn more about you and your habits.

• Obviously, you want positive results, but that isn’t always the case.

• Brand yourself, market yourself, and be professional!

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

What does my footprint look like?

• On your mobile device, Google your name.– Did you find anything pertaining to you?• What did you find?• Is it something you think should be showing up?

– When you search on images, do you see pictures of yourself?• Are these pictures professional or appropriate?

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

Think for a moment…

• Where do you go on the web?

• What sort of image are you leaving behind?– In photos, comments,

views, and opinions displayed online.

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

Think for a moment…

• Is SNAPCHAT really private?

• How about VINE• Who has my data on

my iPhone (which app keeps it?)

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

Digital Stalkers Are REAL

• Here’s a great example of how people can use your digital footprint to stalk you.

• YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqeOnfQmZPY

Comedian Jack Vale uses Social Media to Expose the dangers of posting too much info online.

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

EXIF Extraction

• EXIF (Exchangeable image file format)– Standard for images, sound, and video.

• Stores a ton of info in the picture– GPS (People can track you down with this!)– Date/Time– Camera Make/Model

• When you post online, make sure the GPS info is stripped!• Sites/Apps/Software to remove EXIF data

– http://www.verexif.com/en/

• You can also disable this function on most phones!

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

EXIF Extraction Example

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

Separating your Personal and Professional Life

• Professional– Use your real name and post acceptable content.– Post content that pertains to your professional

life.– What do you want Colleges to see– What do you want Employers to see

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

Separating your Personal and Professional Life

• Personal– Create profiles with an alternate name that you

can share with your friends.– Still be mature and safe on these profiles.

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

Create an Active Digital Footprint

• An active digital footprint is data intentionally submitted online.

• Post about topics you know about

• Share new thoughts, ideas, or opinions make a positive impact

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

Use Social Media…

• Join LinkedIn to post your resume and network professionally

• Create a Twitter account and tweet new ideas

• Use Facebook to share articles, accomplishments, research, etc…

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

Social Media Tips for Protection

• Slow Down. Think. Consider.• Do not post inappropriate pictures• Edit and revise posts for grammatical errors –

credibility.• Do not accept friend requests from people you do

not know• Never give out personal information• Represent and Brand yourself positively

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

Be Responsible!

• Your content affects more than just you!– When you post pictures with friends, you put

them at risk. (how?)– Always post appropriate content on social media

outlets.– Your opinion can still hurt you. Be neutral.– Think before you post!

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

Be Responsible!

• When was the LAST TIME you went somewhere and someone DID NOT HAVE A CELL PHONE?

• All the breaking news always comes with someone’s cell pics

• Every time someone gets arrested, reporters Google them and check their digital life for info

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

Summing It Up

• Be smart!• Your name is your

reputation.• If you post questionable

content, it will follow you and it will cause problems in the future!

• YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYVBshcN7wU

Tom Scott gives a brief , yet elaborate overview of your digital footprint.

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

Summing It Up

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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Communication & Information

Questions?

Tweet us: @helfrichmichael @miltonramer @eranderee @StarsFSU @STARSCorps