digital footprints

 

A digital footprint is the collection of personal data you leave behind while using the internet, like where you live, what products you buy, your email address and more. It includes information you actively share through social media posts, blog profiles and online forms, as well as data companies collect on you through cookies and tracking scripts.

“People often overlook the impact of their online life and how their online experiences contribute to a digital footprint,” Benoit-Kurtz said. “Even as you as an individual are super careful with your online social media presence, your digital footprint could be contributed to through almost no action of your own.”

That information is how Amazon knows exactly what pair of shoes and size to recommend to you, and how Target sends you an ad for baby products before you’ve even announced the pregnancy. It’s also how hackers and scammers get a hold of your email to send you phishing messages and pretend to be you to collect unemployment checks in your name.

Online privacy doesn’t really exist, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do about the size of your digital footprint.

Every website you visit, every social media post you make and every advertisement you click on contributes to your footprint. That game app you downloaded, your FitBit, your smart home device — it all contributes to your footprint. Even when you apply for a job online and enter your social security number, you’re adding to your print.

It’s not possible to use the internet today without leaving behind a trail, said Robin Wilton, director of internet trust for the nonprofit Internet Society, which focuses on expanding access to the internet worldwide and protecting user privacy and security.

“Some of that trail you leave knowingly. You choose to tell someone something and some of it you disclose implicitly through the websites you visit or the places you authenticate,” Wilton said. “And some of it, you’re not conscious you’re doing it, and it doesn’t occur to you that you’re leaving these traces.”

The information you leave knowingly on the web is called your active digital footprint. It’s composed of any data you choose to share online. This includes things like posting on social media, registering for a subscription service or newsletter. Every website you visit, every social media post you make and every advertisement you click on contributes to your footprint. That game app you downloaded, your FitBit, your smart home device — it all contributes to your footprint. Even when you apply for a job online and enter your social security number, you’re adding to your print.

 

Internet users create their digital footprint either actively or passively.

ACTIVE VS. PASSIVE DIGITAL FOOTPRINTS

• Active digital footprint: This includes the personal data you voluntarily share online, such as posting on social media, registering for new accounts and accepting cookies on a website. 
• Passive digital footprint: This involves the personal data companies collect about you without your knowledge through things like third-party cookies, tracking scripts and code that tracks user behavior on a website.

It’s natural to feel a little exposed when thinking about the extent of your digital footprint. The majority of Americans feel like they don’t have much control over the information collected about them online, according to a survey from the Pew Research Center.and some aspects of your digital footprint are useful. It’s what enables Google to surface the most relevant websites and your favorite e-commerce website to tailor their ads and product recommendations to you. Other cookies help you stay logged in on a website and remember what products were in your shopping cart.

The bad news is, data protection hasn’t kept up with data collection, Benoit-Kurtz said. Unless a company receives a request to delete your personal information, it will likely sit in their databases long after you’ve moved on. And it’s likely not being protected as it should.

“Organizations keep data about individuals for an extraordinarily long period of time, and the challenge with that data is the more you have — especially the more obsolete data you have — the easier it is to lose control of that information,” Benoit-Kurtz said. 

While more recent data receives more attention and security, data that’s several years old is more likely to slip through the cracks and become exposed, she added. 

As a result, there are some notable risks to ignoring your digital footprint that are important to pay attention to. 

disadvantages of digital footprints

• Can potentially lead to identity or data thefts.
• Digital footprints often cannot be deleted and are permanent.
• Loss of privacy.
• Unwanted solicitations.

advantages of digital footprints

Benefits of having a digital footprint are numerous. For example, if you are an online professional, your reputation may improve if people are aware of your online presence. Additionally, building relationships with customers or other clients may also be improved by having a digital footprint.

 

To conclude,its is important to be aware of digital footprints

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PARO TSECHU OF THE YEAR 2023 AT RINPUNG DZONG

 

Tsechu is an annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district or dzongkhag.

 

During the festival, one can also take a tour of the Paro Dzong. Because of all the decorations, this religious site looks even more marvelous and picturesque. The paintings in the dzong are a sensation to watch and appreciate. For Bhutanese people, it is not just a festival. It is their faith and belief, which they celebrate in the form of Tshechu. Each day has its very own importance, and the last day witnesses the most crowd. It is because the last day witnesses the unfurling of a "Thangka", made up of silk. Although the official tshechu starts from the tenth day of the 2nd Lunar month, the preparations and celebrations start from at least a month ago.

so many people from different place came over and enjoyed tsechu. moreover, the decorations and cultures attracted tourists. 

• Dances, plays, songs and whatever you name - Paro Tshechu has it all.
• Monks and laymen wear silk costumes and perform sacred masked dances.
• Most dances have a story associated with them, which are depicted in the form of the performances.
• The theme of most of these spectacular dances is the victory of good over evil.
• They revolve around the visions and life words of Guru Rinpoche. His life story is depicted in the most beautiful way possible.
• Some of the most popular dances are Lords of the Cremation Grounds, Novel Men, Stag and Terrifying Deities. 
• Many wind instruments, such as trumpets and flutes, are played, which fill the air with a sense of festivity and triumph. 
• People seek blessings of Buddhist Gurus including Guru Rinpoche.
• Men and women are dressed in their finest clothes and have delicious Bhutanese cuisine packed with them in the bamboo lunchboxes.
• Everyone eats, and even the strangers come together as a family. No one feels left out here, and the locals tell the festival's history with unparalleled joy and enthusiasm.

The Last Day of Tshechu

Mask Dances of Bhutan
Source

The fifth and the last day witnesses a huge amount of crowd and excitement. No matter what, people do not miss the last day's celebrations, especially in the early morning. The day begins with the unwinding of a Thangka of Guru Rinpoche on the wall of the fortress. It is considered the most auspicious ceremony. People's life sins are believed to be washed away by having a look at this auspicious thongdroel.

The ceremony takes place early in the morning and is followed by masked dances.  Very significant masked dances take place on the last day of the tshechu. The eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche are re-enacted on this day only, and this is a performance not to be missed for the world. It is colourful and vibrant and the entire atmosphere around you would be engrossed in the festival.

History of Tshechus

Jakar Tshechu
Source

The colourful tradition of tshechus began in Bumthang when Guru Padmasambhava helped to heal the king of the nation. Sindhu Raja, the then-king of Bhutan, was on the verge of death when Guru Padmasambhava, with his powers and belief, healed him. He performed a series of dance in Bumthang valley, which cured the ailment of the king. 

After the king was healed, he helped Guru Padmasambhava in promoting Buddhism in Bhutan. That is when the first tshechu was held, where Dance of Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche was performed.

How Paro Tshechu Began

Paro Dzong
Source

In 1644, the consecration of the Paro Dzong by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Ponpo Rigzin Nyingpo was followed by a grand celebration in the form of masked dances and traditional songs. It came to be recognised as Paro Tshechu, and since then it is being celebrated every year with the utmost zeal and happiness.

Like most tshechus in Bhutan, Paro Tshechu lasts for five days, and the whole town participates in it. It is celebrated in the memory of Buddhist Saint Guru Rinpoche, who introduced Buddhism in Bhutan. He is referred to as the "Second Buddha," and people worship him with pure faith.

If you are going to attend Paro Tshechu, then you do not need any special permit for that. Just like locals, visitors are also allowed to enter. There is no entry fee as well. So, there are absolutely no formalities for attending the festival. A celebration of the very culture of Buddhism, Paro Tshechu is a lively festival whose roots are embedded deep in the town's history. Planning your trip around this time would make your journey thousand times more cherishable. So, if you want to live Paro, then experience Paro Tshechu.