We can understand Digital Identity or identity 2.0, as a conglomerate of data and actions performed by users and published on the Web, which serve as identification in the digital environment. All online activity such as tagged photos, comments, Likes, Tweets, Post Followers and signed online petitions, are forming what is known as digital reputation; that perception that is formed around us, based on the information that is publicly displayed on the network.
The digital identity is proportional to the official identity of a person since it contains real information of the user, such as name, fiscal address, even the image projected with respect to their online interaction.
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In social networks, online data, digital transactions among other types of procedures leave a footprint around our online walk, making it easier for others to have a representative image about us.
Information that constitutes the digital identity
- Work Information: Information related to the work activity performed.
- Audiovisual Information: Information related to photos, videos and audios.
- Personal Information: Last name, first names, postal addresses, telephone numbers.
- Sensitive Information: Related to sensitive personal information.
- Information about hobbies and tastes.
Characteristics of digital identity
The digital identity is distinguished by being of a social nature, since it is based on the interrelation with the public and is constantly evolving because we are creating new information all the time.
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It is highly linked to both personal and corporate, based on the fact that personal and corporate profiles distribute information and interact constantly on the web, using the digital environment to order contacts. Digital identity is commonly determined to be of character:
- Subjective: It refers to the perception that users in general develop with respect to a person along with the image she herself has generated in the networks.
- Indirect: It does not allow creating a direct link or relationship with the person; only the information publicly predisposed in the virtual media.
- Composite: Since it is organized by means of the contributions of the same user, but also of the other users without the need to have their consent.
- Real: Digital information can cause positive and negative reactions in the real world.
- Valuable: Generally, the information available on some public figure or power in social networks is investigated by corporations to make decisions, for example.
- Dynamic: It is constantly changing.
- Contextual: The need or not to maintain divided identities in relation to the context is assessed, since the disclosure of data in the wrong context can have a negative impact on our digital identity.
How to protect our Digital Identity?
The usurpation of digital identities is what is known as a “cybercrime” and is very common on the network. If you are a victim of digital identity theft, the cybercriminal could have access to your bank accounts or make purchases in your name, so you are exposed to damage your reputation on social networks.
To keep your personal identity safe online, you should be aware that digital identity theft is the order of the day.
It is highly recommended to keep your digital identity safe in the virtual media by putting into practice the following tips:
1. Do not use public or unprotected wi-fi networks 2.
Free wi-fi connections, made available to the public in restaurants, bars or cafes, or public wi-fi connections do not usually have WPA or WEP encryption, so they are not secure.
If for any reason you need to connect to any type of service that contains your sensitive personal information, it is recommended that you do not use these networks. If you must do so, make sure that you can navigate securely by establishing access only with pages that work under the “HTTPS” protocol.
2. Do not use unprotected web pages.
Related to the previous point, although you may be using a private or protected wi-fi connection, it is also important that you only access through web pages that work with the https protocol (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure).
This protocol means that the information that circulates through these web pages is encrypted, so that no one can access it.
3. Use secure passwords and change them constantly.
For those who have basic computer knowledge, passwords are the main resource to protect our digital identity. And sometimes they are not given the relevance they should be.
A password that is considered secure must have a minimum of 16 characters, using uppercase, lowercase and alphanumeric characters. In addition, it is not advisable to use the same password for several different services.
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4. Regular Software Updates
If you are a Windows or Mac user, operating systems should be updated regularly. Whenever a new software update is available, a message appears on your computer asking if you want to update (sometimes it updates automatically).
) It is important not to put off updating your computer’s software because each update has an improved version of the software, including enhanced security.
5. Review permissions and privacy policies
All of the social networks you use on a daily basis have their own privacy policies, and all now have the ability to control what you want to disclose about yourself.
Review the privacy policies and access rights you grant to each social network. Perhaps you don’t care about a public profile on Instagram, or you want to approve every photo you are tagged in on Facebook to decide whether or not it shows up on your wall.
6. Monitor your name constantly
You’ve probably tried searching your name on Google to see what the search engine knows about you and what information is out there for everyone to see.
It is recommended to monitor your name on Google regularly, to confirm that we still have control over everything that appears about us on the network. That is, that we have consented to it appearing. This is closely related to the previous point.
How Digital Identity Can Affect the Professional Environment
A digital identity is taken seriously when you are actively looking for a job. From a Professional Environment approach we understand that actions, comments, content created and shared. Mismanagement can cause us to lose business opportunities.
We should not overlook this factor, because the image we transmit or how we manage it, indirectly affects the corporate identity of the company. It is the concept of professional digital identity that is closely related to online reputation.
Companies must take into account the online presence of their employees (whether social or in the professional environment), especially when they comment or contribute on behalf of the company. Everything they do can add or subtract.
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What is Online Reputation?
Online or digital reputation refers to the level of recognition, influence, or the criteria that the public has regarding a product, company or person. Taking this into account, online reputation can also be defined as a “public perception phenomenon” that derives from the behavior manifested in the different areas of interaction existing on the Internet.
Negative Online Reputation
Any professional can have a disagreement with a client and the client can be dissatisfied. It can happen to any of us. Even if the problem escalates and the client decides to solve it legally. So far so good. But… what if the client decides to publish insults and slander against the other party on various social networks (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook…)? We are facing a serious problem of negative online reputation.
To solve it we can opt for two paths, both necessary and complementary. Until we can identify the author of the comments or content, file the corresponding complaint, And the second is to rely on a digital marketing company to help you get your content online.
Risks related to digital identity and digital reputation.
A brand’s online reputation does not work in a linear fashion; on the contrary, it is cumulative in nature over time.
The risk that this represents for users is that the web is not aware of oblivion, and every movement made online leaves a digital footprint that records the trace of your company. So it is of utmost importance to take precaution of your actions on the network from the beginning, and be consistent in this regard.
What is a personal brand?
When we talk about personal branding, we are not only referring to the professional skills that are so important, but to the set of skills and experiences that make you who you are.
With the widespread influence of new technologies and social networks, it is necessary to provide third parties with a personal brand that is able to convey a clear message about your personality and value.
Difference between personal branding and digital identity
Personal branding is a way to nurture and promote your digital identity to make the most of it and enhance your online reputation. Personal branding is often confused with digital identity, and while they are related, they are different concepts.
While Digital Identity collects all the information a person puts on the networks, personal branding designs how we differentiate ourselves from others and is focused on the work environment and professional issues.
Creating and promoting a personal brand requires a lot of work and dedication, taking care of every detail of our online profile, online communication and more. Digital identity, in turn, includes everything we do online, whether it is professionally useful or not.
Would you like to manage yours or your client’s digital identity? You need to consult a professional about that. Contact Enkronos team today.
