In an increasingly digital world, reputations can be made and unmade online and on social media. Building and maintaining a good digital reputation takes some effort, but the consequences of failing to do so can be devastating. Here are some steps that can help you build a solid digital reputation.

1. Search for your name

This practice is colloquially known as "ego-surfing," but it is wise, not vain, to search for yourself and loved ones on search engines like Google or Bing. You can also use the search functions of popular social media platforms. Use variations including middle names, maiden and married name initials, or surnames. If possible, search for images in addition to text. It is also a good idea to search for your email address and phone number to see if they have been posted somewhere they shouldn't be.

If your name is common, adding the name of your city or town might narrow the search, but there may still be many results that are not you. Look through several pages of results carefully to make sure none of the listed "Jane Smiths" are you (or anyone impersonating you), and also to see if any "Jane Smiths" are engaged in activities you would not want to be associated with. You may not be able to stop people who share your name, but knowing about them can help you anticipate and avoid others mistaking them for you.

Keep a record of any search results that concern you. If those results are under your control, consider hiding or deleting them. If those results were posted by a friend, contact them to have them removed, or at least have them untag you. If those results come from a third party you don't know, consider taking legal action as described below.

2. Opt out of "public information" listings

It is unlikely that your self-search will reveal misrepresentations or defamation (we will discuss that later), but it is very likely that you will find yourself listed in "people search" directories (such as Spokeo and UnMask).

These sites are not illegal — they publish information gathered from public records — but they can be treasure troves for criminals looking to obtain your information. The information listed may include your past addresses, employers, and relatives' names, which can be used to guess answers to security questions and help criminals open new accounts in your name. You can use these sites' "opt-out" features to have your personal information removed from them. These features are not always easy to find; if you are confused, try searching Google for "opt out" along with the name of the relevant service.

To automate some of the process, you can use Experian's personal privacy scan to scan covered people search sites for free. You will see which sites have your information listed and learn how to remove your information from them.

3. Get online and engage with social media

Even if you are not interested in using social media to connect with friends or colleagues, establishing a digital presence can help you avoid misunderstandings and mistaken identity.

Registering a domain name in your name (if available) and creating accounts on social platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok can help ensure employers find the "real you" when they search for your name.

If you don't want to be active on these platforms, simply lock down your account privacy settings — limit visibility to your own network of connections, then do not seek or accept any connections. For future employers, finding accounts with little to no information on them is always better than leaving them to mistake someone else's account for yours.

4. Be mindful on social media

There is truth to the old adage: information posted to the internet can last forever. So, while it is easier said than done, especially in a group狂欢 atmosphere, think twice before sharing a photo or post that might cause you trouble down the road — maybe sooner than later.

Fashion disasters and outdated hairstyles are no big deal, but posts that describe (or even hint at) reckless or excessive behavior can have serious negative consequences. Spring break is certainly fun, but your beer pong victory might leave a bad impression on a hiring manager or admissions officer. A recent post describing or hinting at illegal activity (such as underage drinking, trespassing, or vandalism) could even result in a visit from law enforcement.

Because even posts from years ago about "funny kid stuff" that you may have forgotten could appear in online albums or searches, it is best to think twice — and urge the young people you care about to think twice — before sharing potentially embarrassing or worse details.

5. Keep social media private

Using privacy settings on social media apps to share information only with members of your personal network helps prevent your photos and personal information from being misused. It is not foolproof, as a successful compromise of a friend's account could access your information, but it is much harder to uncover than making all your posts public.

If you are concerned that information you share, or posts or images friends tag you in, might create a bad impression, consider changing your profile name to something other than your full name. This makes it harder to find you (and problematic posts). Since a determined searcher may still be able to find your profile on many platforms, consider untagging yourself from potentially negative posts and deleting any posts that give you pause.

6. Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication

Gaining access to your social accounts, email, and other online accounts makes it easier for criminals to impersonate you and commit fraud, which can (at least temporarily) damage your credit and harm your relationships with financial institutions, retailers, and other businesses. The damage caused by identity theft can be reversed with time and effort, but prevention is better than cure. To prevent hackers from stealing your personal information, use unique and strong passwords on all your accounts and change them regularly (a good password manager can help).

Also, consider enabling biometric authentication (face or fingerprint recognition) on your smartphone apps and multi-factor authentication (MFA) when logging into other accounts. MFA adds a quick extra step to the account login process, sending you a verification code you must provide when logging in, provided the criminal does not have access to your email or text messages.

7. Take appropriate action

If your research uncovers social media posts that have been incorrectly attributed to you, use the built-in reporting tools to notify the relevant platform and change your password immediately.

If you find evidence that someone is using your identity for fraudulent purposes, such as raising money or selling goods in your name, consider filing an identity theft report with the authorities in addition to reporting it to the appropriate platform.

If you believe someone has posted information that is defamatory about you, it is advisable to seek professional legal advice. Laws regarding libel (written defamation) and slander (spoken defamation) can vary by jurisdiction, as can the difficulty of proving them, so an experienced attorney can provide the best legal advice for your situation.