How to erase my internet trail

Currently, the Internet is a tool that is part of our day to day in a way that is practically essential to perform all our routines. We no longer use it only at home, on our desktop computer, but it accompanies us to all the places we go on the mobile phone or on other mobile devices, such as tablets or laptops. And it is very difficult to give it up, because in many ways it facilitates the simplest tasks.

Does anyone remember how it came to an unknown place without GPS? And the ease of being able to find the phone of practically any site (hotels, restaurants, companies ...) in the mobile? Or to be able to buy objects that are not in our city, nor in our country, not even in our continent? The Internet has opened a wide range of new possibilities. But it does not do it for free. This use of the tool assumes that we leave a trace (with all our data, tastes and preferences) that we do not know how they will be used. That's why we tell you how to erase your Internet trace .

How to delete my Internet email accounts

It is very complicated to completely erase our trail on the Internet. Before starting this process you have to bear in mind that it will be long, it may take several days or even weeks, depending on all the accounts you have open and the use you have made of the tool. There are some new applications that can facilitate the task or even some professionals who, for a fee, can eliminate it, but many people prefer to do it themselves, so that no one else handles their data, which takes more time.

Let's start with the simple: delete email accounts . It is likely that the one you have now in use is a Google account (Gmail), but remember, because you may keep some other provider, such as Hotmail or Yahoo, that you have not yet closed. In almost all accounts the process is the same:

1. Go to the website where you have created an email.
2. Log in and go to configuration.
3. There you will find the option to close or delete your account.

If it is not deleted immediately do not worry, some take a few days because they keep it active in case you want to activate it again with all the information it contains. For more information, you can read this other article about How to delete my gmail email account.

How to remove my information from the Internet - social networks

Who does not belong to a social network today? Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are the most used and known at the moment, but there are a large number of them. Many people also have profiles in other types of networks, such as those dedicated to finding a partner. If you want to disappear from all social networks, first make a list of all the ones you have registered to go, one by one, eliminating your profile.

In general, there is an option in the configuration menu that can appear as deactivate, delete or close an account . You only have to select, but there will be many that simply deactivate your profile and do not eliminate it completely, in case you want to activate it again later and not lose the information. If you do not, at least, deactivate one of them or find problems to close it, you can also change your data for a false and delete your publications, although it will take more time.

But probably social networks are not the only ones that have an account or profile in your name. We assume that you have also resorted to other services, such as purchasing (in any online store, from Amazon to a small home delivery business, airline tickets, hotel reservations ...), search for homes or work, or booking online appointment (hospitals or restaurants). All are associated with a profile or account that also has your data. To remove it, click on settings and you will find there the option to close your account and delete it.

How to delete my data from Google

In general, this point is what worries us most, since we do not like that our personal data can be available to any company that can use them for their benefit, not only our name, address or mobile phone, but also our tastes and preferences. . This trail is more complicated to erase, because you will have to contact directly with the website or the company to delete our data from your files so that nobody can use that information.

Each web or business has a different way of proceeding. There are some that directly have a form or an email address on the page that allows you to request the removal of that data. But in other cases, especially those that are dedicated to the sale of personal information to other companies, the process may be longer because you may be asked to send some type of document or fax requesting the deletion of data. It will be a long procedure, but necessary if you want to erase your trail in a definitive way on the net.

Now that you know how to erase my internet trail, you may also be interested in this other article on How to protect my privacy on the Internet with Firefox and Chrome.