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This blog will take you through the importance of crafting and protecting your online identity and discover how it can be protected through proper management. So keep on reading to know more about it!
Online identity management has become as important as our breath. From social media to e-commerce our personal and professional lives are exposed and can be used for indecent purposes. Therefore, it is our responsibility to keep ourselves safe and comprehend our threats for a better digital society.
The consequences of your online identity being compromised could be devastating, From empty bank accounts to criminal cases, to dark web threats. So, keep an eye out and understand what online identity management is.
Let’s get going!
Why your digital footprints are significant: The importance of managing online identity
We have our digital trails all around us. Going shopping, using an ATM, or having a health visit, you have walked and left your marks, your identity, your patterns, and your behavior. Let’s see why managing online identity is important:
- Get your information protected: Managing online identity ensures that your information is not shared with unauthorized parties, which can lead to identity theft and financial fraud.
- Maintain your reputation: Online identity management can help you and your businesses maintain a good online reputation by monitoring and responding to online feedback and reviews.
- Want to build trust: A well-managed online identity can help you build trust with potential employers, clients, and customers by showcasing your professional and credible image.
- Do avoid legal issues: OIM can help you avoid legal issues such as copyright infringement and defamation by ensuring that the content shared online is appropriate and lawful.
- Must enhance cybersecurity: Managing online identity can also enhance your cybersecurity by maintaining strong passwords, using two-factor authentication, and regularly updating privacy settings.
- Should strengthen brand image: It is crucial for businesses as it can help strengthen their brand image and reputation, leading to increased customer loyalty and revenue.
- Adapt to changing digital trends: Effective online identity management involves keeping up-to-date with the latest digital trends and tools, which can help you and your businesses stay relevant in a rapidly evolving online landscape.
- Yes! Control your online narrative: Managing online identity allows you and your business to control your online narrative and shape how they are perceived by others, rather than leaving it to chance.
Forms of online identity
There are different forms of your online identity, follow to know more:
Personal identity: Includes personal information such as your name, address, phone number, and other details that are associated with your personal life.
Professional identity: An online representation of your professional life, including work history, qualifications, and achievements.
Social identity: Social identity is associated with your online social interactions and relationships. Social media profiles, online forums, and messaging apps are a part of it.
Anonymous identity: Some individuals choose to maintain an anonymous online identity to protect their privacy and identity. This may involve using pseudo-identity or avatars to conceal themselves.
Collective identity: It is an online identity that represents a group or community. It refers to fan pages, interest groups, or forums dedicated to a particular topic or cause, which you use as a member.
Commercial identity: The online identity associated with a business or brand, includes websites, social media profiles, and other online platforms that are used to promote and sell products or services.
Do you need online identity management?
Well, ignorant people would say, they don’t need it. But if you are a futuristic thinker, know what’s happening in the digital world, and understand what online identity management is by now – You will not deny its need. We all need it for:
- Protecting ourselves from cyber threats, such as hacking, phishing, and identity theft.
- Reputation management on the Internet.
- Compliance with regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), require businesses and individuals to manage online identities to protect the privacy of individuals’ data.
- Career advancement as employers often conduct online searches before hiring or promoting an employee.
- Personal branding, to build their brand and increase their visibility in their industry or community.
- Customer trust can increase in businesses by demonstrating transparency and accountability.
- Adaptation to changing technology to evolve.
Still not convinced: Risks of not managing your online identity
There are many threats you will experience someday if your online identity is compromised. Read and know why it shouldn’t be ignored!
Don’t get exposed to cyberattacks: You, your loved ones, businesses, and society can become vulnerable to cyber attacks such as phishing scams, malware attacks, and ransomware attacks, leading to financial losses and compromised sensitive information. You can also leak your information to the dark web.
Don’t allow identity theft: Stealing your identity by cybercriminals can lead to fraudulent activities like opening bank accounts or taking loans to your name.
Stay away from reputation damage: Unmanaged online identities can lead to negative content or misinformation being spread, which can harm you or your business’s reputation, leading to a loss of customers, opportunities, and revenue.
Don’t walk near legal issues: Failing to manage online identities can result in legal issues such as copyright infringement, defamation, and data breaches, which can result in lawsuits, fines, and reputational damage. This costs you extra with your reputation affected.
Beware of loss of privacy: It can lead to a loss of privacy as your information may be exposed to unwanted parties, leading to potential exploitation or cyberbullying.
Put away loss of revenue: A negative online reputation resulting from an unmanaged online identity can lead to a loss of revenue, as customers may lose trust and confidence.
Tools, techniques, and strategies for online identity management
Some tools and techniques could lead to building a strategy for online identity management:
- Allow browser alerts: Google Alerts sends notifications when new content is posted about a specific keyword or topic. It can be used to monitor online mentions of your name, brand, or business.
- Take help from social media monitoring tools: There are several paid and free social media monitoring tools like Spriklr and Meltwater, which can help you monitor social media platforms for mentions of your name, brand, or business. Or try PurePrivacy.
- Hire online reputation management services: There are several online reputation management services, such as WebiMax and NetReputation, to help individuals and businesses manage their online identities more effectively. These services typically monitor online mentions, provide strategies for managing negative content, and help build a positive online reputation.
- Install privacy-focused search engines: Privacy-focused search engines like DuckDuckGo and StartPage can be used to search for information about yourself or your business without the risk of search engines tracking your activity.
- Embrace online privacy tools: Tools like VPNs(PureVPN), ad-blockers, and anti-tracking browser extensions can be used to protect your online privacy and prevent unwanted tracking.
- Opt for professional networking: Professional networking platforms like LinkedIn can be used to create a positive online identity and connect with others in your industry.
- Prefer high-quality content creation: Creating high-quality content such as blog posts, articles, and videos can help build a positive online identity and establish yourself as an expert in your field.
- Don’t risk online brand management: Building a strong online brand can help you control your online identity and reputation. This can involve creating a consistent brand image across all online platforms and using branding techniques such as logos and slogans.
Avoidables to track while managing being online
When we are not aware of the importance of our online identity, we make certain mistakes. Here are a few things you should not ignore and perform control action too:
- It’s important to address negative content head-on, either by responding directly or by working with an online reputation management service to address the issue.
- Inconsistent branding across different online platforms can make it difficult for others to recognize you or your business. Make sure to use the same information on every platform.
- Oversharing personal information online can be a mistake. It’s important to be mindful of what you share online and who can see it. This includes avoiding sharing sensitive personal information.
- It’s important to regularly monitor search results and social media platforms for mentions of your name or brand.
- Engaging in negative or confrontational behavior online can harm your online reputation. It’s important to engage positively with others online.
- Lack of professionalism online, such as using inappropriate language or posting controversial content, can harm your online reputation. It’s important to maintain a professional image online.
- Failing to secure online accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication can leave your personal information vulnerable to hackers and cyberattacks.
- Not updating privacy settings on social media platforms and other online accounts can make your personal information publicly available to anyone who has access to the internet.
Crafting an online persona: Art of identity reputation management for businesses
Companies have benefitted by implementing online identity management programs in terms of credibility, sales, the posture of reliance, and customer trust. Let’s understand by taking examples of some of the companies:
IBM
IBM’s online identity management strategy involves
- creating a consistent brand image across all platforms and engaging with their customers through thought leadership and innovation.
- By sharing their research and insights, they have been able to position themselves as a leader in the industry, which has helped them build a loyal customer base.
Dove
Dove’s online identity management strategy involves
- focusing on its message of body positivity and self-confidence, which has helped them build a loyal customer base.
- By using social media to showcase real people and real stories, they have been able to connect with their audience on a personal level, which has helped them build a positive online reputation.
HubSpot
HubSpot’s online identity management strategy involves
- focusing on inbound marketing and providing valuable content to its audience.
- By using social media to share their blog posts and webinars, they have been able to attract potential customers and build a strong online presence.
- By engaging with their audience and providing solutions, they have been able to build a loyal customer base.
Tesla
Tesla’s online identity management strategy involves
- focusing on innovation and sustainability.
- By using social media to showcase their latest products and innovations, they have attracted a loyal customer base.
Red Bull
Red Bull’s OIM strategy involves
- focusing on extreme sports and adventure, which has helped them build a unique and recognizable brand.
- By using social media to showcase their sponsorships and events, they have attracted a loyal customer base.
- By promoting user-generated content, they have been able to build a community around their brand.
GoPro
GoPro’s online identity management strategy involves focusing on
- user-generated content, which has helped them build a community around their brand.
- By using social media to showcase their customers’ videos and photos, they have attracted a loyal customer base.
Patagonia
Patagonia’s OIM strategy involves focusing on
- sustainability and environmentalism, which has helped them build a unique and recognizable brand.
- By using social media to promote environmental causes and sustainable practices, they have been able to attract a loyal customer base.
And amongst all these, how can we forget Coca-cola, Airbnb, Starbucks, Zappos, and Nike? All of them have kept their reputation as a major recognizing factor when it comes to online identity management.
Navigate the legal aspects of online identity management
One aspect of managing online identity and reputation management is when there are certain tags, reviews, or posts about the business. To respond to that there are certain laws you must know and implement. Let’s discuss what legal handles you have to do so:
Understand defamation laws
There is a need to be vigilant regarding defamation laws. This will protect you or other businesses from false statements against them. Defamatory remarks are never to be passed and negativity should be responded to with a lawsuit.
Respond effectively
Businesses should respond to negative reviews in a professional and non-confrontational manner. They should avoid making any personal attacks or accusations and instead focus on addressing the reviewer’s concerns and offering a solution.
Learn the importance of Trademark and Copyright protection
OIM also involves protecting a company’s intellectual property, including trademarks and copyrights. Businesses should regularly monitor their online presence to ensure that their trademarks are not being infringed upon and that their copyrighted materials are not being used without permission.
Take prompt infringement actions
If your business’s intellectual property is being misused, it should take immediate action to stop the infringement. This may include pursuing legal action against the infringing party.
Compliance with data privacy laws
It is important to comply with data privacy laws when managing online identity. Implementing laws such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), companies must be careful about how they collect, store, and use customer data.
Knowing data privacy policies
Stringent data privacy policies are needed for efficient management. Also, it is important to take proper steps while collecting customer data.
Embracing the online identity management: Trends to inspire
With increasing awareness and technology it has become evident that online identity management is going to flourish. Here are some trends and developments seen in recent times.
Biometric authentication
Biometric authentication is the use of unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial recognition, to identify and verify the identity of online users. Many countries are adopting biometric authentication as a more secure and convenient way to manage online identity.
Indian Aadhaar system, which is a biometric-based identification system, uses a person’s fingerprints and iris scans to create a unique 12-digit identification number, which is linked to their personal information. The Aadhaar system is used for a wide range of government services, including welfare programs and tax filings.
Blockchain-based identity management
Blockchain-based identity management uses the decentralized and immutable nature of blockchain technology to create a secure online identity. This method is becoming increasingly popular as it provides users with more control over their data.
Estonia has implemented a blockchain-based identity management system called the e-Residency program. The program allows non-residents to access Estonian digital services, such as business registration and tax filing, using a secure digital identity.
Passwordless authentication
Passwordless authentication is the use of alternative methods, such as biometric authentication or security keys, to authenticate online users, instead of relying on traditional passwords.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States has recently updated its guidelines to recommend the use of passwordless authentication. The new guidelines suggest the use of biometric authentication, security keys, or other alternative methods to replace traditional passwords.
Artificial intelligence: Technology used for your identity management
Companies are using AI-based solutions to improve the accuracy of authentication, prevent fraudulent activities, and enhance the overall security of online identity management. Discover how and take inspiration to do it for yourself.
1. Microsoft
Microsoft‘s AI-based solutions Azure Active Directory, a cloud-based identity and access management service. It uses
- machine learning algorithms to detect and prevent fraudulent activities, such as account takeover and identity theft.
- analyzes various data points, such as user behavior, location, and device information, to calculate a risk score and prompt additional authentication or block access to the account if necessary.
2. Mastercard
Mastercard’s NuDetect uses machine-learning algorithms to analyze user behavior and detect fraudulent activities. The system analyzes
- various data points, such as the speed of typing, the angle at which a device is held, and the way a user interacts with the device,
- to determine whether the user is legitimate or not.
- The system can also prompt additional authentication or block access
3. Jumio
Jumio is a digital identity verification company that uses AI-based methods to verify user identity. The company’s system uses
- machine learning algorithms to analyze biometric data
- The system can also detect and prevent fraudulent activities, such as identity theft and synthetic identity fraud.
4.BioCatch
It is an AI-based behavioral biometrics company that uses machine learning algorithms to analyze user behavior and detect fraudulent activities. The company’s system analyzes various data points, such as
- the way a user interacts with the device, the speed of typing, and the angle at which a device is held, to determine whether the user is legitimate or not.
5. GBG
GBG is a UK-based identity verification company that uses AI to verify users’ identities for financial institutions, e-commerce companies, and other organizations. The system analyzes various data points, such as
- government-issued IDs,
- biometric data, and
- social media profiles, to ensure that the user’s identity is legitimate.
- The system can also detect and prevent fraudulent activities, such as account takeover and new account fraud.
Concluding thought: Secure your digital identity
Walking with technology and its implication has always welfare the users. If you have not opted for online identity management tools yet, it is the time. The blog has covered all the details you must know to understand, implement and move forward with securing your digital identity.
PureSquare, a digital security and online privacy for the new age offers holistic safety and security with ease. So wherever you are, whatever you do, with our specially designed tools, you get what you need.
Stay safe and protect what belongs to you only!
Frequently Asked Questions
Online identity management is a technique used to create, promote, and protect the way a person or company is portrayed on the internet.
Three different identities online:
– Anonymous,
– Pseudonymous, and
– Real life
Online identities are formed when you use the internet in any form. Some websites use your IP address or cookies to determine your digital footprints, while some buy data from companies.
When you interact with social groups on the internet you create your social identity.
Well, there is no authentic way to find that out. The only way to avoid it is to use a reliable VPN such as PureVPN to protect your data and identity.
Yes. Using the dark web is legal but commonly used for illegal dealings, like buying stolen personal information, including bank account information and passwords.
– Keep an eye on your credit report
– Check your banking accounts for suspicious activity regularly.
– Use strong, unique passwords.
– Never click links or open attachments in unsolicited emails or text messages.
The first step to take if someone has stolen your identity is to report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov. You can also call them at 1-877-438-4338. Then, do what they advise.
Marrium Akhtar
April 10, 2023
1 year ago
