A digital footprint is the trail of data you leave behind when you use the internet. This includes information from social media posts, website visits, and online purchases. Every time you interact online, you create a record that can be tracked and analyzed by companies, advertisers, and even governments. There are two types of digital footprints: active and passive. An active digital footprint is created when you intentionally share information, like posting on Facebook or sending an email. A passive digital footprint, on the other hand, is collected without your direct input, such as through cookies that track your browsing habits.