A Comprehensive Guide To The Personal And Practical Elements Of Your Digital Life Before You

In this fast-paced digital age, our lives are becoming increasingly intertwined with technology. From the way we communicate and work to the way we access information and store memories, our digital lives have become an essential part of our existence. However, with this reliance on technology comes the need to understand and manage the personal and practical elements of our digital footprint.

Understanding Your Digital Footprint

Your digital footprint refers to all the information about you that exists online. This can include your social media profiles, online accounts, browsing history, and any other digital traces you leave behind. Understanding your digital footprint is crucial as it can have significant implications for your privacy, security, and reputation.

Firstly, consider the information you share on social media platforms. While it may seem harmless to post updates about your life or share personal photos, this data can be accessed by anyone, potentially compromising your privacy. It's important to be mindful of the information you make public and adjust your privacy settings accordingly.

Digital Legacy Plan: A guide to the personal and practical elements of your digital life before you die (Reference Series)

by Angela Crocker (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3015 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	134 pages

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Secondly, think about the online accounts you have created over the years. From email and banking accounts to e-commerce and streaming services, these accounts are gateways to your personal and financial information. Utilize strong and unique passwords for each account, enable two-factor authentication when available, and regularly review your security settings to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.

The Importance of Digital Estate Planning

As our lives become more digital, so do our assets. It's important to consider what will happen to your digital presence after you pass away. Digital estate planning involves organizing and documenting your digital assets and specifying what should be done with them in the event of your death.

Start by making a comprehensive inventory of your digital assets, which can include your social media accounts, cloud storage, online subscriptions, and any valuable digital content. Decide who you trust to handle your digital estate and ensure they have access to the necessary login credentials and instructions on how to manage your accounts.

Additionally, consider what you want to happen to your online presence after you're gone. Some people may want their social media profiles memorialized or deleted, while others may want their digital content to be preserved and shared with loved ones. By planning ahead, you can ensure your wishes are respected.

Safeguarding Your Digital Memories

In this digital era, many of our cherished memories are stored electronically. From photos and videos to important documents and sentimental emails, these digital artifacts hold immense value. It's essential to take steps to safeguard your digital memories and prevent their loss.

Regularly back up your files to a secure location, such as an external hard drive or a cloud storage service. This will help protect your data from hardware failure, accidental deletion, or cyber threats. Additionally, consider organizing your digital files and creating a system that allows you to easily locate and retrieve specific memories when needed.

Moreover, keep in mind the longevity of different storage mediums. While cloud storage services offer convenience and accessibility, physical backups can provide an additional layer of security. It's recommended to have multiple copies of important files stored in different locations to minimize the risk of loss.

As our lives become increasingly intertwined with technology, it's crucial to navigate and manage the personal and practical elements of our digital presence. Understanding your digital footprint, planning your digital estate, and safeguarding your digital memories are all integral steps towards ensuring your privacy, security, and legacy online.

By following this comprehensive guide, you can take control of your digital life and make informed decisions that will benefit you and your loved ones in the long run.

Digital Legacy Plan: A guide to the personal and practical elements of your digital life before you die (Reference Series)

by Angela Crocker (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3015 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	134 pages

FREE

When you die, what will your digital legacy be? What will be left about you online? How will your online accounts be accessed and handled and how will you be remembered for posterity (given that there’s no real erasing of the Internet)?

Angela Crocker and Vicki Mcleod team up to give us ideas and tips on how to handle our digital legacies. Vicki focuses on the personal aspects of legacy, while Angela brings it down to earth with the practical, how-to aspects.

One hundred years from now, there will be one billion dead people on Facebook. That’s a sobering thought for each of us as we consider our own mortality. And while it can be uncomfortable to talk about death, it’s important to prepare the personal and practical elements of your digital life before death. In this guide, co-authors Angela Crocker and Vicki McLeod offer solutions for the practical, social, emotional, and technical aspects of your digital legacy. They include best practices for online memorials, social media and mourning, and digital etiquette in death. Tools and resources are included throughout the book to help your digital estate planning and empower your estate’s executor.

From online banking to decades worth of digital family photos, copious creative or intellectual property, or personal history documented on social media, everyone has a widespread digital footprint that tells the story of our lives. How much of that story remains online after we’re gone? Who has access to banking, passwords, and important digital records? What about painful or deeply personal elements of your personal or professional legacy? In life, you have the opportunity to make choices about your digital legacy. If you don’t, you risk your legacy being misinterpreted, lost, or simply becoming digital litter. It’s time for a digital legacy plan.