How to Scrub Yourself from the Internet

In today’s digital age, our personal information is scattered across the internet, leaving us vulnerable to privacy breaches, identity theft, and online harassment. Whether you’re concerned about your online reputation, seeking to protect your personal data, or simply want to reduce your digital footprint, it’s crucial to know how to effectively scrub your personal information from the internet.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to identify and remove your personal information from the web, handle negative content posted by others, and maintain your online privacy moving forward.

Why It’s Important to Manage Your Online Presence

Your digital footprint encompasses all the information about you available online, including social media profiles, public records, and data collected by various websites and services. Managing your online presence is essential for several reasons:

Protecting Your Privacy

Limiting the amount of online personal information reduces the risk of identity theft, stalking, and other privacy breaches. With the increasing prevalence of data breaches and cyber attacks, it’s more important than ever to be proactive about protecting your sensitive information.

Maintaining Your Reputation

Harmful or outdated content about you can harm your personal and professional reputation, affecting job prospects, relationships, and more. In today’s digital age, your online reputation is often the first impression people have of you, making it crucial to ensure that the information available online is accurate and positive.

Taking Control Of Your Data

By actively managing your online presence, you can exercise greater control over how your personal information is used and shared. This includes understanding how websites and services collect and use your data, as well as taking steps to limit the amount of information you share online.

Preventing Identity Theft

The more personal information you have available online, the easier for cybercriminals to piece together your identity and commit fraud in your name. By reducing the amount of sensitive data accessible online, you can make it more difficult for identity thieves to target you.

Safeguarding Your Future

Your online presence can have long-lasting consequences, even years down the line. By proactively managing your digital footprint, you can ensure that your online reputation remains optimistic and doesn’t come back to haunt you in the future, whether during a job search, a college application process, or a personal relationship.

Identifying Information to Remove

To effectively scrub your personal information from the internet, it’s essential to understand the various types of data that may be exposed online:

Sensitive Personal Data to Prioritize

Social Security Numbers

Your Social Security number is one of the most sensitive pieces of personal information, as it can be used to open new accounts, commit tax fraud, and more. If you find your Social Security number exposed online, it’s essential to take immediate steps to have it removed.

Financial information

Financial information, such as credit card numbers and bank account details, can be used by cybercriminals to make unauthorized purchases or drain your accounts. Remove any exposed financial information from the web as soon as possible.

Medical Records

Medical records contain highly sensitive information about your health and can be used for medical identity theft or discrimination against you in employment or insurance matters. If you find your medical records exposed online, contact the healthcare provider responsible for the breach and request that the information be removed.

Home Address and Phone Number

Your home address and phone number can be used by stalkers, harassers, or identity thieves to target you offline. Consider removing this information from online directories and social media profiles to protect your physical safety and privacy.

Birthdate and Birthplace

While your birthdate and birthplace may seem like harmless information, they can be used by identity thieves to answer security questions and gain access to your accounts. It’s best to limit the availability of this information online.

Social Media and Public Posts

• Personal photos and videos: Personal photos and videos shared on social media or other websites can reveal sensitive information about your location, relationships, and activities.
• Status updates and tweets: Social media posts, such as status updates and tweets, can provide insight into your personal life, opinions, and activities.
• Comments on forums and blogs: Comments you leave on forums, blogs, or other websites can be traced back to you and may reveal personal information or opinions you’d rather keep private.
• Membership in online communities or groups: Your membership in online communities or groups can reveal information about your interests, beliefs, and associations.

Steps to Scrub Yourself from the Internet

To effectively scrub your data from the web, follow these key steps: delete old online accounts, opt out of data broker sites, remove personal information from Google search results, contact webmasters to remove outdated or sensitive content, and deactivate unused email accounts. By systematically addressing each area where your personal information may be exposed, you can minimize your digital footprint and safeguard your privacy online.

Deleting Old Online Accounts

One of the most effective ways to scrub your personal information from the internet is to delete old online accounts you no longer use. However, before deleting these accounts, you must identify which ones you’ve created over the years. This can be a challenging task, as you may have signed up for various websites and services that you’ve forgotten about. Here are some strategies to help you uncover your old accounts:

1. Search your email inbox and sent folder: Use search terms like “account confirmation,” “welcome to,” or “verify your email” to find messages related to account sign-ups. You can also search for specific website names or keywords related to online services you may have used.
2. Review your browser’s saved passwords: Most web browsers have a built-in feature that saves passwords for websites you visit. Check your browser’s settings to view a list of saved passwords and associated websites. This can help you identify accounts you may have forgotten about.
3. Examine your social media profiles: Look through your social media accounts, such as Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn, to find any mentions or links to other online services or accounts you’ve connected to your social media profiles.
4. Conduct a self-search on Google: Perform a search for your name, email address, or common usernames you’ve used. This may reveal old online accounts, profiles, or personal information associated with you that you were unaware of.

Once you’ve identified as many old accounts as possible, prioritize those most likely to contain sensitive personal information you want to remove from the internet. Focus on accounts with your full name, address, phone number, or other identifying details.

To delete an account, visit the website and log in. Look for options like “Delete Account,” “Close Account,” or “Deactivate Account” in the account settings or profile management section. Follow the instructions provided by the website to complete the account deletion process. If you can’t find a clear option to delete your account, search for the website’s privacy policy or terms of service. This may provide information on how to request account deletion or contact customer support for assistance.

Opting Out of Data Broker Sites

Data brokers collect and sell personal information to third parties. Some of the significant data brokers to target when removing your information include:

• Whitepages: Whitepages is a popular online directory aggregating personal information, such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. To opt out of Whitepages, visit their opt-out page (https://www.whitepages.com/suppression-requests) and follow the instructions provided.
• Spokeo: Spokeo is a people search engine that collects personal information from public records and social media profiles. To remove your information from Spokeo, visit their opt-out page (https://www.spokeo.com/optout) and submit a removal request.
• BeenVerified: BeenVerified is a background check service that provides access to personal information, such as criminal records, property ownership, and social media profiles. To opt out of BeenVerified, visit their opt-out page (https://www.beenverified.com/f/optout/search) and follow the instructions to submit a removal request.
• Intelius: Intelius is a people search service that offers background checks and personal information lookups. To remove your information from Intelius, visit their opt-out page (https://www.intelius.com/opt-out/) and submit a removal request.

When opting out of data broker sites, remember that the process may vary from one service to another. Some may require you to provide additional information, such as proof of identity, while others may have a simple online form to complete. Follow the instructions carefully and contact the service’s customer support team if you encounter any issues.

Removing Personal Information from Google Search Results

Google offers a removal request form (https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/legal-removal-request?complaint_type=rtbf) that allows you to request the removal of certain types of sensitive personal information from search results, such as confidential government ID numbers or bank account information.

To use Google’s removal request form:

1. Visit the removal request form page and select the type of information you want to remove.
2. Provide the URL of the webpage containing the sensitive information.
3. Explain why the information should be removed, such as if it is outdated, inaccurate, or exposing sensitive personal data.
4. Submit the request and wait for Google to review your case.

Keep in mind that Google will only remove information that falls under specific categories, such as confidential government ID numbers, bank account information, or sexually explicit images shared without your consent. They may not remove information that is considered to be in the public interest or is published by a reputable source.

Addressing Outdated and Sensitive Information

For outdated or sensitive information that doesn’t qualify for Google’s removal request, you can contact the webmaster of the site hosting the content and request its removal.

To do this:

1. Identify the website hosting the outdated or sensitive information.
2. Locate the website’s contact information, such as an email address or contact form, often found on the “Contact Us” or “About” page.
3. Compose a polite and professional email explaining why you want the information removed. Be specific about the content in question and provide a link to the page containing the information.
4. Send the email and follow up if you don’t receive a response within a reasonable timeframe, usually 1-2 weeks.

If the webmaster is unresponsive or unwilling to remove the content, you may need to consider other options, such as legal action or reputation management services.

Deactivating Unused Email Accounts

Unused email accounts can be a treasure trove of personal information. Be sure to deactivate or delete any old email accounts you no longer use to minimize your online footprint.

To deactivate an unused email account:

1. Log in to the email account, if possible.
2. Navigate to the account settings or profile management page.
3. Look for options to deactivate or delete the account. This may be located in the privacy settings, security settings, or account management section.
4. Follow the instructions provided by the email service to complete the deactivation or deletion process. This may involve confirming your decision via email or providing additional information to verify your identity.

If you cannot log in to the email account, contact the email service provider’s customer support team for assistance with deactivating the account.

Tips for Continued Online Privacy

Using VPNs and Privacy-Focused Tools

To maintain your online privacy, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection and mask your IP address. A VPN creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet, making it more difficult for third parties to intercept your data or track your online activities. When choosing a VPN:

1. Look for a reputable provider with a proven track record of protecting user privacy.
2. Choose a VPN with strong encryption, such as AES-256, and secure protocols, like OpenVPN or WireGuard.
3. Ensure the VPN has a strict no-logging policy, meaning they don’t collect or store data about your online activities.
4. Consider the VPN’s speed, server locations, and compatibility with your devices and operating systems.

Other privacy-focused tools, such as DuckDuckGo for search and Signal for messaging, can help minimize your digital footprint. DuckDuckGo is a search engine that doesn’t track your search history or collect personal information, while Signal is an encrypted messaging app that offers secure, private communication.

Limiting Data Sharing and Online Exposure

Be mindful of the personal information you share online, and adjust your privacy settings on social media and other platforms to limit who can see your posts and profile information.

To limit your data sharing and online exposure:

1. Review the privacy settings on all your social media accounts and adjust them to control who can see your posts, photos, and personal information.
2. Be selective about the personal information you include in your social media profiles, such as your birthdate, hometown, or place of work.
3. Avoid oversharing personal details or sensitive information in public posts or comments.
4. Use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
5. Be cautious about accepting friend requests or connecting with strangers online, as they may be attempting to access your personal information.
6. Regularly review your social media friends list and remove any individuals you no longer know or trust.
7. Think carefully before participating in online quizzes, surveys, or games that request personal information, as this data may be collected and sold to third parties.
8. Use privacy-enhancing browser extensions, such as ad or script blockers, to limit online tracking and data collection.

By being proactive about your online privacy and limiting the amount of personal information you share, you can reduce your digital footprint and protect yourself from potential privacy breaches or reputational harm.

How Minc Law Can Help

At Minc Law, we understand the importance of protecting your online privacy and reputation. Our experienced team of attorneys has deep experience in internet defamation, content removal, and online privacy matters.

We offer the following services to help you scrub your personal information from the internet:

• Identifying and removing personal information from data broker sites and online directories: Our team can conduct a thorough search to identify where your personal information is being shared online and take steps to remove it from data broker sites and online directories.
• Assisting with the removal of harmful or defamatory content posted by others: If you’re the target of online harassment, cyberbullying, or defamation, we can help you pursue the removal of the offending content and hold the responsible parties accountable.
• Pursuing legal action against individuals or websites that refuse to remove your personal information or reputation-damaging content: In cases where websites or individuals are uncooperative in removing your personal information or defamatory content, we can pursue legal action on your behalf to enforce your rights and protect your reputation.
• Advising on best practices for maintaining online privacy and managing your digital footprint: Our attorneys can provide guidance and recommendations on how to keep your online privacy, minimize your digital footprint, and proactively protect your personal information from being exposed online.

In addition to these services, Minc Law offers a range of reputation management and online brand protection solutions to help individuals and businesses safeguard their online presence. Our team can help you monitor your online reputation, respond to negative reviews or comments, and develop a positive online brand identity.

If you need help scrubbing your personal information from the internet or dealing with online reputation issues, contact Minc Law today for a confidential consultation. Our dedicated team is here to help you protect your privacy and maintain a positive online presence.