Digital Shadows Weaken Your Attack Surface


Every tweet, text, bank transaction, Google search and DoorDash order is part of your digital shadow. We all have one, and the contents of your shadow aren’t always private. For example, in April 2021 attackers leaked data containing the personal information of over 533 million Facebook users from 106 countries. 


Sure, you might want your tweet to be seen all over the world. But what about your phone number, social media name, full name, location, birthdate and email address? How conscious are you of your digital exposure? And how do employee digital shadows affect the companies they work for? 


What Is a Digital Shadow?


Anything you post or capture in digital format is technically part of your digital shadow or digital footprint. It’s obvious that social media posts and tweets are parts of your digital shadow, but you might be surprised about other elements. For instance, texts leave a digital trail as well. You can even read someone’s text messages without access to their phone. 


Think your photos are safe in Google Drive? While Google’s security is certainly robust, if someone steals your credentials, they could log in and see all your files. Even your bank transactions and social security number could be leaked. Any type of communication or information sent or saved using a digital device could end up in the wrong hands. 


How Long of a Digital Shadow Do You Cast?


In 2020, over digital shadows weaken attack surface