Protecting your online image - Off Duty, Technology - Navy Times

Protecting your online image

Your age and marital status. Your home’s value. Intimate details of your social life. Anyone with a computer can find this data and more. As more of your life moves online, you need to manage your online reputation by limiting the information that’s out there — while at the same time presenting your best side to superiors and potential post-military employers.

Remove unflattering and sensitive information

Start with Google, Yahoo and Bing, and see what information about yourself you can find. Search for variations of your name; if you have a common name, add qualifiers such as your city or military service. Make a list of content to change or remove and a second list of content to promote.

Next, make a list of online accounts you no longer use. Old dating profiles and social-networking pages can come back to haunt you. Privacy rules for these sites can change, so it’s important to close old accounts.

Your information also appears on people-search sites and online databases. This is trickier to remove and often reveals sensitive financial details. These sites pull data from public records; they’ll sell a complete file on you to anyone. Each has different removal instructions; you must request removal from each site individually.

Requesting removal won’t necessarily keep your data safe. Many sites make it difficult or impossible to remove data. Because this information comes from public records, it may reappear later. I’ve posted a list of data brokers and people-search sites at www.komando.com/news. You’ll also find removal instructions for big sites such as Spokeo and MyLife.

Unflattering information can prove difficult to remove, particularly if it is factually correct. Your best bet is to write the site owner a polite letter making your case. Be sure to highlight any inaccuracies.

If the posts seem intentionally malicious, contact Google. In some cases, it removes links from searches. You may also consider contacting an attorney.

Promote the positive

Simply trying to remove information may not do enough. You may need to create new content to push down unflattering search results.

• Create a profile on LinkedIn highlighting your professional accomplishments. Create a Google Profile and use it to direct people to information you want them to see. Link to positive stories about you.

• Start a free blog with Blogger or WordPress. Write about your personal or professional interests, and showcase your abilities. If you have a common name, create a post with links to others who share your name. It’s a direct way to distinguish yourself.

Get help

You may not be able to take control of your online reputation alone. Fortunately, companies such as Reputation.com and Reputation Hawk specialize in online reputation management. Prices start around $100 and can run into the thousands.

Kim Komando hosts the nation’s largest talk radio show about computers and the Internet.