Digital Footprint & Online Security Workshop

Protect Your Identity, Privacy, and Reputation Online

In today’s connected world, your digital footprint follows you everywhere—from social media and email to job applications and financial accounts. This interactive workshop helps participants understand how their online activities create a digital trail and how to protect themselves from scams, identity theft, and cyber threats.

Participants will learn practical strategies to protect personal information, manage privacy settings, and build safer digital habits.

Workshop Agenda

1. Welcome & Introduction (10 minutes)

• Meet the instructor and overview of the session

• What is a digital footprint and why it matters

• Real-world examples of online exposure and cyber incidents

• Participant introductions and expectations

Quick Activity:
Participants complete a short QR-code survey about their current online habits.

2. Understanding Your Digital Footprint (20 minutes)

Participants learn how everyday online actions create a permanent digital record.

Topics Covered:

• What a digital footprint is

• Active vs passive digital footprints

• How websites, apps, and social media collect data

• How companies track online behavior

• Why employers and organizations review online profiles

Demonstration:

• Example search of a digital footprint

• What information is publicly visible online

Exercise:
Participants search their own name online and identify what information appears.

3. Online Privacy & Personal Data Protection (20 minutes)

Learn how personal information is collected, stored, and sometimes misused online.

Topics Covered:

• Common types of personal data collected

• Privacy settings on social media

• Location tracking risks

• Data shared through apps and websites

• How data brokers collect information

Hands-On Activity:
Participants review and update privacy settings on at least one account.

4. Cyber Threats & Online Scams (25 minutes)

Understand the most common cyber threats targeting individuals.

Topics Covered:

• Phishing emails and messages

• Fake websites and scams

• Identity theft

• Social engineering attacks

• Fraud targeting seniors, teens, and small businesses

Interactive Activity:
Participants review real examples and identify red flags in suspicious emails and messages.

5. Password Security & Account Protection (20 minutes)

Participants learn best practices for protecting accounts.

Topics Covered:

• Strong password creation

• Password managers

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

• Account recovery protection

• Protecting financial and email accounts

Hands-On Activity:
Participants test password strength and learn how to create a secure password.

6. Managing Your Online Reputation (15 minutes)

Learn how your online presence can impact education, employment, and personal reputation.

Topics Covered:

• Cleaning up old social media posts

• Removing outdated information

• Monitoring your online reputation

• Building a positive digital presence

Exercise:
Participants review their public profiles and identify improvements.

7. Practical Digital Safety Habits (15 minutes)

Participants learn simple habits that significantly reduce risk online.

Topics Covered:

• Safe Wi-Fi practices

• Device updates and security

• Recognizing suspicious links

• Safe online shopping

• Protecting family members and children online

8. Community Resources & Next Steps (10 minutes)

Participants receive resources and tools to continue improving digital safety.

Resources Provided:

• Cybersecurity checklists

• Free security tools

• Privacy management guides

• Reporting cybercrime resources

9. Questions & Open Discussion (10 minutes)

Participants can ask questions about:

• Personal online safety concerns

• Social media privacy

• Online scams

• Device security

10. Workshop Feedback Survey (5 minutes)

Participants complete a post-session QR code survey to help improve future workshops.

What Participants Will Leave With

✔ A clear understanding of their digital footprint
✔ Practical steps to protect personal information online
✔ Tools to identify and avoid scams
✔ Stronger password and account protection habits
✔ A personal Digital Safety Checklist

Who Should Attend

This workshop is ideal for:

• Community members

• Seniors and caregivers

• Students and young adults

• Small business owners

• Parents and families

No technical experience required.

Workshop Format

• Interactive presentation

• Real-world examples and demonstrations

• Hands-on exercises

• Live Q&A with instructor

Instructor

Jennell Hartford
Principal, DataTechRisk Solutions (DTRS)

Providing digital literacy, cybersecurity awareness, and IT training to communities, organizations, and businesses.