Whether we realize it or not, most of our information is online. Now that everyone is starting to be conscious and concerned about the information available on the internet, you may wonder if it’s possible to remove your personal information like name from public records? Can I block my name from appearing when searched on Google?
How to remove my name from public records?
There are easy ways to remove your name and other information from public records on the internet. Still, there is no guarantee that your information is entirely free from the internet. You can minimize your information online by not including your full names on social media sites, google yourself to see whichever sites have your information, and many more.
How To Delete your Personal Information?
Other than your name, other personal information like your home address and even your phone number could be public. It’s impossible to be completely invisible to the internet, but the most you can do is ensure there’s no private information on the internet. Here’s how you can delete whatever personal information you wish to be off the internet.
Google yourself
Go incognito mode or use a VPN and Google your name to see where your name or other personal information pops up. I tried doing this and remember having my full name and signature on Google image. This is because my University publishes students’ thesis reports available for the public, containing my name, student ID, and signature (a big no-no). But as professors found their signatures online, too, my university was able to handle it and remove any signatures being able to be searched online.
Have a low social media presence
On most social media like Instagram or Facebook, remove any information you feel is too personal to be public. Your name, though, may not be possible to be completely anonymous. You can choose to delete your middle and last name or use a fake name. Be conscious and careful when posting or sharing anything on social media. If you want more privacy, have as low of a social media presence as possible. If you want to be super private, be social media-free. Is that a sacrifice you are willing to make?
Delete unused emails or accounts
Do you have any emails or social media accounts you made as a reckless kid or teenager? Try to get access and delete them. Or, if you are inactive on any social media, it’s best to just delete those.
Get help from a professional
If you are dealing with a serious data breach, you could contact a professional to track and help delete your records. Or, you could contact data brokers and have them delete your data. WhitePage is probably the most popular data broker people opt for.
Threats of public records
Identity theft
If there is enough personal information about you online, like your full name, home address, phone number, and even signature, people can steal your identity. You could even be falsely identified as a criminal.
Stalking
With social media, cyberstalking and offline stalking are easier and more dangerous, whether it be through your private information like your home address or harmless Instagram pictures in your apartment complex. Always be in control of the information and images you share.
Doxxing
Doxxing is a cybercrime where people use your personal information and photos, making your information even more public, to harass and intimidate you. Boxers would expose your home address, social security number, credit card information, personal and or embarrassing photos or information, and many more. Celebrities or politicians are usually the most common victims of doxing to inflict fear and ruin their careers. Still, it doesn’t mean that regular people can’t be a victim of doxing too.
Phishing emails
Beware when checking unknown emails, and make it a habit not to click suspicious links. In a phishing attack, criminals will try to have you click those links, which will expose you to malware and steal more personal information.
Conclusion
Your digital footprint will be somewhere on the internet forever. It’s impossible to entirely remove your name or any other personal information already posted on the internet. You can minimize the appearance of your personal information by making your social media private or even deleting them, tracking whatever information about you is available online by tracking them yourself, or asking data brokers to delete your information. Prevention is key. Use a VPN when accessing the internet and practice other internet safeties.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you tell if someone has Googled you?
No. Although you can put a Google alert whenever your name pops up on the internet.
- What are the risks of not having any social media presence?
Employers may be suspicious of you if you have little to no social media presence.
