How To Disappear Online - A Guide To Removing Your Digital Footprint

Last Updated on Tue, 19 Dec 2023 | Digital Creative Services

Go back 100 years, and very often the only record of your existence would have been a tea stained birth certificate that your mum kept in a brown envelope in the bureaux at the top of the stairs.

Jump forward a century to the present day, and it’s pretty safe to say that from the moment you’re born, your digital footprint (or digi-print) becomes imprinted out there on the silicon sand dunes of www. before you’ve even taken your first step.

Of course, I, just like many of you reading this, was toddling around in nappies long before the explosion of the internet. But, even for quadragenarians like myself (I know, I wouldn’t believe it from my profile pic at the bottom of this page either), the proofs of my existence have by now been sucked into the web waves just the same as practically every single millennial baby that has been born and will be born from now on – and yours have too.

Photos of your sea bass supper that you uploaded to Facebook during one of those moments when you were under the mistaken impression that anyone cares. Those wonderfully interesting tweets that tell the world that you are walking to work. The boring and predictable unique and insightful comments you have made on other people’s blogs. Amazon purchases. Takeaway orders. Tax registrations. Parking fines. Internet banking. PayPal. Whatever it is, if you’re active on the web, then you’re leaving a trail of digital breadcrumbs that anybody with the right skills can follow in your wake.

Indeed, not only is your footprint probably bigger than you have ever conceived, the idea of being able to completely remove said footprint from every server on the net is probably unfathomable to most.

And rightly so – if you think that it’s impossible to completely remove any evidence that you ever existed from the ol’ interweb, then you’re probably right.

But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a damn good try, and in fact it is very possible to go back and cover over many of your digital footprints with fresh dustings of silicon sand. Here’s how…

Private Browsing

This is the place to start your quest for invisibility. Everything that you do on the internet from here on should be done via private browsing. Each browser will have a different way to browse privately, but you should find it straight forward enough. Just go to the main menu and work from there. If in doubt just enter “private browsing” into Google and the name of the browser that you use.

What private browsing does is remove all of your internet search history from your computer as you go along – by which I mean, your computer won’t keep a record of where you go and what you do online. It won’t help you disappear completely, however, as very often your IP address will still be recorded by the websites that you visit, but it’s a good starting point nonetheless.

A better option is to go for an anonymous browser such as Tor. Without going into the ins and outs of it, Tor will allow you to browse the net with complete anonymity. Any sites that you choose to visit won’t be able to record your IP address and there will be no record of you when you leave them either.

Using an anonymous browser will enable you to move forward from here on knowing that your online exposure isn’t increasing. Watching poorly acted pornographic features about plumbers armed with big, erm, wrenches fixing ladies’ washing machines? Paranoid that the NSA is monitoring your Facebook account to see if you’re taking sick days from work to play Warcraft? Well, now you can without the worry that either your wife or men in black suits are going to break the door down while you’re sat in your boxers eating Doritos.

Covering Up Your Previous Tracks

Now you’re browsing privately, you can begin work on the process of removing as many fossil traces of your digital footprints in the sand as possible, and that means cataloguing every account you’ve signed up for. To remove yourself from the internet means sacrificing a lot of the conveniences that the internet provides. But, you can’t have it both ways unfortunately. So, if you’re serious about disappearing completely from the web, everything’s got to go.

This won’t be easy. Especially if you’re one of those people who loves signing up for things without giving much thought to them afterwards. You’ll need to make a list of every social network you have signed up for, including the ones you applied to join while they were in Beta or that looked like they may have a future. So, we’re not just talking old platforms such as Myspace and Bebo, you may even have an account with Ello which you stopped using as soon as you released it’s about as much fun as a trip to the clinic.

With social networks, it may be that you can’t remember whether you deactivated the account or not. As such you may want to try entering your name into Google alongside the social network and some facts that are specific to you such as place of birth or interests to narrow it down. It may be that you like Morris dancing or recording the number plates of buses, in which case you will be a very unique individual, and you should be able to determine very quickly if you still exist on those sites or not (I don’t think, for instance, that there’s another Martin Butters out there who would list reciting the entire Um Bongo song in 8 seconds as a key achievement on their LinkedIn profile – so I know that’s me on there).

Remember to search images as well as this can also bear fruit. But don’t be surprised if you find some random pics of you in embarrassing situations on social networks from people you didn’t even know that you had met. Pics taken at parties where someone has tagged you for example. Remember that night you drank 10 beers and decided to do an impression of a Gollum searching for his precious in the gutter? No, you don’t – but the internet does.

You’ll also need to consider email accounts, sites offering freebies or cheap deals that you may have found appealing, and make a note of anything you may have deactivated, but not necessarily deleted (as it’s very important to remember that the two are not the same).

If in doubt, why not ask a friend or family member if they have any alternative emails for you, or if they’re still connected to you on a social network that you have given up on (though if you’re into Morris Dancing you can be forgiven if you have no friends to turn to for help).

In no time you’ll probably start finding accounts for you all over the place.

Delete Your Accounts

The next step is to delete every account that you can. If you remember the login details all the better. If not, you may have to jump through a few hoops, answer security questions and invest a little more time. (Again, if you’re a Morris dancer you’ll probably find that jumping through hoops is the least ridiculous thing you’ve attempted today (unless you’ve tried my Um Bongo thing, that is.)

You may even find that some accounts are trickier to delete than you first thought. But don’t panic, there’s always sites looking to lend a helping hand (not for free, of course – they’re not that helpful), and Abine.com is just one of those sites. For a nominal fee this site will work to delete a variety of your online information for you. From personal information, photos and information held on data sites, they’ll work to remove the lot.

Even better is the fact that they then scour the net every 3 months and do it again. That way, if you’ve been online and not had the opportunity to use a site like Tor, or if you’ve scrabbling around pissed in the gutter again and are worried about photographic evidence, you can sleep safe in the knowledge that they’re not far behind you cleaning up as you go.

Google Alerts

It’s also worth noting that not every aspect of your information that is online has been put there by you. A friend or family member may be uploading images or information about you that you don’t want in the public forum. The image beneath being a prime example:

As such, it pays to use Google Alerts. Google Alerts allows you to be informed every time your named is picked up by Google’s search engine. That said, if your name is John Smith, you’ll probably be getting more notifications than you can handle, most of which will be sod all to do with you. But, if you have one of those obscure names that brought you much ridicule at school (like Butters, for example), you may finally have a reason to thank your mum and dad for their choice as you’ll more often than not only be informed when it’s something relevant to you.

So that’s it, in next to no time you’ve become the online version of Arya Stark. A faceless warrior moving around Westernet as you please …

Scratch that – you’re not that heroic. You’ll probably just do what most people are doing with their new found freedom – downloading the latest episode of Game of Thrones the day before it’s out in the UK, without worrying about the police turning up, which they probably wouldn’t have anyway.

Continue reading here: How to Use Social Media to Land Your Ideal Job

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Readers' Questions

ENRICO
How to delete your internet footprint?

1 month ago
- Reply

Deleting your internet footprint is not a straightforward process as it involves managing and removing data from various platforms and services. However, here are some general steps you can take to minimize your online presence:
Search and remove personal information: Start by searching for your name, email address, phone number, and other personal details on search engines like Google. Identify websites and platforms that display your information and follow their instructions to remove or request removal of your personal data.

Delete social media accounts: Deactivate or delete your social media accounts one by one. Go to the settings or account management sections of each platform to find options for account deletion.

Remove unnecessary online accounts: Identify any online accounts or memberships that you no longer use or need. Visit those websites, log in to your account, and delete your profile or close the account as per their respective guidelines.

Unsubscribe from email newsletters: Unsubscribe from newsletters and mailing lists that you no longer wish to receive. Most newsletters provide an unsubscribe link at the bottom of their emails. Clicking on it will remove you from their list.

Delete browser history and cookies: Clear your browsing history, cache, and cookies from your web browser settings. Different browsers have different methods, so search for instructions specific to your browser.

Secure your online accounts: Change passwords on your remaining online accounts to stronger and unique combinations. Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible for added security.

Opt-out of data brokers: Visit websites like optoutprescreen.com or the National Do Not Call Registry to limit unwanted telemarketing calls or to remove your information from data broker databases.

Manage online publication or blog posts: If you have published articles, blog posts, or any content that you would like to remove, contact the respective website administrators or editors to have it taken down or anonymized.
Remember that your information may still be captured and stored on various websites or databases beyond your control. It is also important to acknowledge that complete removal of your internet footprint is nearly impossible, as other entities may have already accessed and saved your data.

kristian
How to delete digital footprint?

1 month ago
- Reply

Here are some steps you can take to delete or minimize your digital footprint:
Evaluate your online presence: Start by analyzing your existing online presence. This includes social media profiles, websites, forums, blogs, and any other platforms you have accounts on.

Delete unnecessary accounts: Identify the accounts that you no longer use or are not important to you. Close or delete these accounts permanently. Look for account closure options within the platform settings, or contact the platform's support for assistance if needed.

Remove personal information: Go through your social media profiles and remove or limit personal information, such as your full name, phone number, home address, or birthdate. Be cautious about the information you share in public posts or comments.

Change privacy settings: Review and update the privacy settings on your social media accounts. Limit the amount of personal information you share with others and adjust who can see your posts and profile information. Set your profiles to be visible only to desired connections or friends.

Adjust advertising preferences: Many online platforms track your browsing history and use it to personalize ads. Visit the privacy and ad preferences sections of the platforms you use and review and adjust the settings.

Control search engine results: Search for your name on different search engines and see what information appears. If you find outdated or irrelevant information, contact the website owner to request removal, or use search engine removal request forms if available.

Manage online reviews: If you have published reviews or comments on various platforms, review them and delete any that you no longer want associated with your name.

Be cautious about sharing personal information: Moving forward, be mindful of what you share online. Limit the personal information you provide on new platforms, forums, or websites.

Use privacy tools: Consider using privacy-focused tools and browser extensions that enhance your online privacy, block tracking, and manage cookies.

Regularly review and update: It's important to regularly review and update your privacy settings and online accounts. Stay informed about privacy changes and new online platforms that may create or increase your digital footprint.
Remember, while you can reduce your digital footprint, it's difficult to completely erase it. Be aware that information may still exist in various databases or archives, so it's important to be cautious about what you share online.

KEIRAN
How to dissapear from the internet?

1 month ago
- Reply

If you want to reduce your online presence or disappear from the internet, follow these steps:
Delete or deactivate social media accounts: Start by deleting or deactivating your social media accounts. Remove all personal information and posts before doing so.

Remove personal details from online directories: Search for any online directories or listings that have your personal information and request to have it removed. This may include websites like Whitepages or 411.

Unsubscribe and delete email accounts: Close or delete any email accounts you no longer use or wish to have associated with your online identity. Ensure you have backup access to any important emails or contacts before deleting.

Remove yourself from data broker websites: Data broker websites collect and sell personal information. Search for them and submit opt-out requests to have your information removed.

Contact website administrators: If there are any specific websites where your personal information is exposed, reach out to the website administrators and request to have your information removed.

Delete online accounts and memberships: Identify any other online accounts or memberships you have, such as online forums, shopping websites, or streaming services, and proceed to delete them.

Request removal of content from search engines: In some cases, you may need to contact search engines directly and request the removal of specific URLs or webpages that contain your personal information.

Use online reputation management services: If you have difficulty removing certain information, consider leveraging online reputation management services that specialize in reducing your online presence.
Remember that while these steps can help to minimize your digital footprint, complete disappearance from the internet may be challenging or impossible, especially if others have shared information about you.

pinja
How to remove digital footprint from internet?

1 month ago
- Reply

To reduce your digital footprint and minimize your online presence, you can follow these steps:
Delete or deactivate unnecessary accounts: Identify and delete any social media, shopping, or entertainment accounts that you no longer use or need.

Modify privacy settings: Review the privacy settings on your social media platforms, search engines, and other online services, and restrict access to your personal information.

Opt-out of data collection: Visit the websites of data brokers and opt-out of their data collection. This can help reduce the amount of personal information available online.

Delete personal information: Remove personal information from public websites, forums, or online directories. Consider reaching out to the respective website administrators to request the removal of your information.

Be cautious with personal information: Be conscious about sharing personal information online, such as your address, phone number, or email address. Avoid providing unnecessary details on various platforms.

Use strong unique passwords: Use unique and complex passwords for your online accounts to prevent unauthorized access. Consider using a password manager to securely store your passwords.

Regularly clean your browsing history and cookies: Clear your browsing history, cache, and cookies regularly to remove any stored data that can be traced back to you.

Use private browsing: Utilize private or incognito browsing modes to prevent the storage of your browsing history, cookies, and other information.

Be mindful of what you post: Think twice before sharing personal information, photos, or opinions publicly on social media or any other online platforms.

Monitor your online presence: Regularly search for your name, email address, or usernames in search engines to see what information is available about you. Address any concerns or inaccuracies that you come across.
Remember that completely erasing your digital footprint might be challenging, as some information might have been archived or stored by various third parties. However, by carefully managing your online activities and being mindful of the information you share, you can significantly reduce your digital presence.

hannes
Can digital footprint be deleted?

1 month ago
- Reply

Yes, it is possible to delete or minimize your digital footprint. However, completely erasing all traces of your online presence is difficult due to the nature of the internet and the way data is stored and shared. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your digital footprint:
Deleting or deactivating accounts: Start by deleting or deactivating social media accounts, online shopping profiles, and any other online platforms you no longer use.

Review privacy settings: Adjust the privacy settings on the platforms or accounts you decide to keep to limit the amount of personal information shared publicly.

Remove personal information: Regularly search for and remove personal information, such as your name, address, and phone number, from websites, directories, or online databases that may have stored or shared it.

Manage browser cookies and cache: Clear your browser cookies and cache regularly to remove stored data and browsing history.

Opt-out of data sharing: Look for websites or services that offer the option to opt-out of data sharing or choose not to sell your personal information.

Be cautious with online activities: Be mindful of what you share online, avoid posting sensitive or personal information, and think twice before publishing anything publicly.

Seek professional help: For more advanced techniques or if you need assistance, consider consulting with a professional specializing in online privacy and reputation management.
Remember that even with these steps, some information may still exist in backups or archives maintained by certain organizations or online platforms. It's important to regularly review and manage your online presence to minimize your digital footprint.

Mustafa
How to erase your digital footprint?

1 month ago
- Reply

Erasing or minimizing your digital footprint can be a complex process, but here are some steps you can take to help reduce it:
Assess your current digital presence: Start by searching your name on search engines to see what information about you is publicly available. Take note of the websites, social media profiles, and other platforms where your personal information appears.

Delete unused accounts: Review all your online accounts and close or delete the ones that you no longer use. Look for account deletion options within the account settings or contact the platform's support team for assistance.

Adjust privacy settings: For the accounts you choose to keep, review and tighten privacy settings. Opt for strong passwords, limit the visibility of personal information, and disable public search options wherever possible.

Delete personal information from websites: Contact websites that display your personal information and ask them to remove it. Search for contact information or reach out through their website's support or contact forms. Note that not all websites will comply, but it's worth the effort to request removal.

Remove yourself from data brokers: Data brokers gather and sell personal information. Find data broker websites that list your information and follow their opt-out procedures to have your data removed. Websites like optoutprescreen.com and whitepages.com provide instructions for opting out.

Clean up social media: Review your social media accounts and delete or privatize any posts, photos, or information that you no longer want to be publicly accessible. Adjust privacy settings to limit who can see your content and restrict search engine indexing.

Limit online tracking: Install browser extensions or apps that block online trackers and use private browsing modes whenever possible to reduce the amount of information collected about your online activities.

Be mindful of future online activity: Moving forward, be cautious about what personal information you share online. Think twice before posting personal details or photos, and regularly review your privacy settings on social media platforms and other online services.
Remember that completely erasing your digital footprint may not be possible, as some information might remain in archives or databases beyond your control. But by following these steps, you can significantly reduce your online presence and protect your privacy.

daisy
How to hide your digital footprint?

3 months ago
- Reply

To hide your digital footprint, you can follow these tips:
Use a virtual private network (VPN): A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your internet connection, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity.

Use private browsing modes: Most web browsers offer private or incognito modes that prevent your browsing history, cookies, and temporary files from being stored.

Clear your browsing history: Regularly clear your browser history, including cookies and cache files, to minimize the amount of data being stored.

Be cautious with social media settings: Adjust your social media privacy settings so that only approved followers or friends can view your posts and personal information.

Limit sharing personal information: Be mindful of the personal information you provide online, such as your full name, address, phone number, or birthdate.

Use strong, unique passwords: Create strong passwords for all online accounts and ensure to use different passwords for each account.

Disable location services: Many apps and devices track your location, so it's important to disable location services for apps that don't require it.

Be mindful of publicly posting photos: Avoid posting pictures with identifiable features that can be traced back to your location.

Use encrypted messaging apps: When communicating online, use messaging apps that offer end-to-end encryption, like Signal or WhatsApp, to ensure your conversations are private.

Regularly update software: Keep your operating system, apps, and antivirus software up to date to protect against vulnerabilities that may jeopardize your privacy.
Remember, completely hiding your digital footprint is nearly impossible, but these steps can help minimize the information available about you online. It's important to stay informed about best practices for online privacy and adapt your habits accordingly.

ELSA
How to disappear from the internet completely?

3 months ago
- Reply

If you want to disappear from the internet completely, follow these steps:
Delete social media accounts: Start by deleting all your social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and any other platforms where you have an online presence. Make sure to permanently delete your accounts, rather than just deactivating them.

Remove personal information from search engines: Contact search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo to request removal of any personal information that appears in search results. They typically have specific procedures for handling these requests.

Unsubscribe and delete email accounts: Close any email accounts you no longer need, and unsubscribe from newsletters or mailing lists where you have subscribed. Be sure to delete all associated data, including emails and contacts.

Contact website owners: If there are specific websites that display your personal information, reach out to the website owners or administrators and ask them to remove your data or any references to you.

Remove online profiles: Remove any online profiles you may have on forums, discussion boards, or any websites that require registration. Announce your intention to leave and request the removal of your account.

Remove personal data from online directories: Search for online directories or people-search websites that display your personal information and request removal of your data. Some directories may require proof of identification before they comply.

Manage online shopping accounts: Close any accounts with e-commerce websites or online retailers. Delete shipping addresses, payment methods, and clear your purchase history.

Monitor your online presence: Regularly search for yourself online and take appropriate action if any traces of your information resurface. Be proactive in handling any potential instances where data about you may reappear.
Remember that while these steps can help you minimize your online presence, completely disappearing from the internet is challenging since some data may persist. It's necessary to understand that online information can be copied, stored, or shared even after deletion.

delia leclaire
How to disappear online?

10 months ago
- Reply

Change Your Email Address: The first step to disappearing online is to make sure that nobody can contact you through your email address. Make sure to change it to a new, anonymous one. You can also create a completely new email address rather than changing your old one.

Delete Your Social Media Accounts: The next step is to delete all the social media accounts that you have. This includes any profiles you have on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Make sure to check all of your other accounts in case you have forgotten some.

Remove Any Personal Information: Next, make sure to remove any personal information from the web. This includes your address, phone number, and any other information that can be used to identify you. If you want to be extra careful, you can also delete all of your search history and cookies.

Use a VPN: To make sure your activity on the internet is anonymous, consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN will encrypt your data and hide your IP address, making it difficult for anyone to track you online.

Use a Different Name: If you want to keep using social media, you should use a different name online. Make sure not to use your real name, or any name that could be associated with you. This can help you maintain a sense of anonymity online.

Use Cash for Purchases: Finally, when making online purchases, try to use cash instead of a credit card or other form of payment. This way, your personal information won't be tied to any of your activities.