Today, November 5, might seem like a normal day for you — but it's actually Global Hack Day, as dubbed by the shadowy collective known as Anonymous. The focus on hacking and online data reminds us how easy it is to access a life’s worth of information online.
If you think you’re safe from data and personal information theft, watch this video, because you're so not.
Scary right? Don’t panic. We’ve got a few tips to help you commit Internet suicide.
First, obviously, you will need to delete all of your social network accounts (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Instagram and so on). But that doesn't complete the job — you’re still out there.
A recent post from Gizmodo outlines your next step, which comes from the help of these web sites:
- Account Killer: This one provides direct links and instructions to remove your account or public profile on most popular websites, and links you directly to each one’s deletion page.
- Just Delete Me: This service also provides direct links to each site’s account deletion page, along with an easy navigation tool called Chrome Extension that indicates you’re on a site registered with the company. Clicking immediately links you to the deletion section.
- Knowem: Knowem searches for your name or user name on more than 500 popular social websites just in case you forgot you were also there.
And if this is too much for you, there are record removal companies that will do it for you. But remember, the removal may not be 100% effective!
Keep in mind, if you feel the need to revive yourself eventually. All this hard work could be redone in a click. Facebook, for example, can re-instate your deleted profile no matter how long it’s been dead.
Born and raised in Spain, Lara is a digital producer and writer for Fusion — covering stories in culture and technology as well as in-depth environmental issues across the globe.