How To Remove Your Information From the Internet (For Free)

Is It Possible To Remove Yourself From the Internet?

Your personal information is all over the internet — whether you like it or not. Along with the personal details you post on social media sites (like LinkedIn or Facebook), e-commerce sites, data brokers, and advertising companies all collect and store sensitive information that can put your privacy at risk, or worse. 

According to the latest statistics [*]:

Americans lost over $43 billion to identity fraud in 2022 — with data breaches and leaked personal information causing many people to become victims. 

The harsh reality is that unless you completely stop using online services and apps, it’s almost impossible to completely remove yourself from the internet. But with a few steps, you can ensure that there isn’t enough data online to put you at risk. 

How To Remove Your Information From the Internet

1. Secure your online accounts
2. Remove your data from Google search results
3. Request that third-party websites remove your information
4. Delete old accounts and apps
5. Boost your social media privacy settings
6. Opt out of data broker lists
7. Use anti-tracking and privacy tools
8. Remove identifying images from Google Maps
9. Make your public records private
10. Clean up your email accounts
11. Optimize your browser’s privacy settings
12. Sign up for an identity monitoring tool

1. Secure your online accounts

Whenever you sign up for an online service, shop with a website, or create an account, you add to your online presence. 

There were 1,393 data breaches in the first half of 2023 — putting this year on track for a 30–40% increase from 2022 [*]. 

While it’s important to update your privacy settings to ensure you’re not sharing too much information online, it’s even more important to secure your accounts from hackers who want to steal and leak your most sensitive details. 

What to do:

• Use strong passwords. If your social media or Gmail account gets hacked, your personal information may quickly end up in the hands of fraudsters. You can make it harder for hackers when you create unique password codes or passphrases that are at least 10 characters long, and combine random words, symbols, and numbers. 
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). With 2FA, your accounts have an extra layer of security that requires a second form of identification, such as a fingerprint scan or code from an authenticator app.
• Regularly scan the Dark Web for your information. Identity Guard’s free Dark Web scanner searches hacker forums and marketplaces for leaked personal details in recent data breaches. This tool can help you identify compromised accounts so that you can update your passwords immediately. 

⚠️ Beware: It's almost impossible to remove your personal information from the internet entirely. But an all-in-one digital security provider like Identity Guard can monitor your sensitive accounts and information to alert you of any data compromises. Learn more about how Identity Guard can keep you safe.

2. Remove your data from Google search results

A simple Google search of your own name is often all it takes for someone to gather sensitive information about you. 

In September 2022, Google released the “Results about You” tool to make it easy for people to request the removal of any search results that contained their personal information. You should check Google's results for your name to ensure that you aren't exposing sensitive data such as your phone number, home address, and email address.

Here’s what to do:

• Protect your home address. Google lets you blur images of your home and remove your address details from search results. Removing information about your home can prevent unwanted solicitation or physical theft, including “dumpster diving.”
• Keep your financial information secure. If cybercriminals intercept your financial data through phishing attacks, they could take out loans or credit cards in your name. It’s essential to hide all financial information online, including your credit card numbers and bank account statements. 
• Hide your phone number. It’s best to avoid sharing your phone number publicly, as you could make yourself a target for spam calls or SIM swap scams. 

💡 Related: What To Do If a Scammer Has Your Phone Number →

3. Request that third-party websites remove your information

Unfortunately, removing your data from Google search results won’t remove your information from the sites that are hosting it. Instead, you’ll need to contact each site’s webmaster individually to remove your personal data. 

You can reduce the risk by asking websites to remove your personal information.

Here’s what to do:

• Find out who has your information. Search for your name, email address, home address, and phone number in search engines to see which sites have information about you. Make a list of the sites that you need to contact.
• Contact site administrators. You should be able to get in touch with the owners or webmasters via contact forms or phone numbers. Ask them to remove your details from their sites, and provide supporting information — like screenshots and page links — to help them, where required.
• Use a data removal service. The manual approach to removing your data online requires a great deal of time and concentration. Alternatively, a data removal service like Identity Guard can automatically contact and remove your information from major data broker sites.

💡 Related: Steps To Protect Your Digital Footprint (10 Ways) →

4. Delete old accounts and apps that you no longer use

After several years online, most of us acquire dozens — or even hundreds — of accounts, including social media platforms, apps, and services. When you stop using these services, you should shut them down properly as they can be vulnerable to hacking and data breaches. 

Here’s what to do:

• Make a list of your online accounts. Use your email notifications and password manager to create a list of all your accounts, including e-commerce stores, social media profiles, apps, and web service accounts. Highlight old accounts that you no longer use.
• Delete old accounts. Log in to the sites or services that you don’t need anymore, and go to your account settings. Look for an option to either deactivate or delete your account. If you can't delete an account, remove your personal details — including your address and credit card numbers. You could even add an email alias to fool would-be threat actors. 
• Limit access to old sites and content. Facebook lets you automatically set an audience for all past posts — so only trusted people, like your family members, can view your content. 

💡 Related: What To Do If Your Email Is Found on the Dark Web →

5. Boost your social media privacy settings

Around 25% of people admit they’ve shared sensitive personal information on social media [*]. Whether it’s your phone number or photos, everything you post on social media increases your digital footprint. If you don’t practice good social media security, you could become a victim of fraud.

Here’s what to do:

• Review your privacy settings. You can customize your profile settings to limit who can see your content and what information the platform shares with third-party apps, services, and search engines. Here’s how to update your privacy settings on Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and Instagram. 
• Don’t share personally identifiable information (PII). On social media accounts, keep your full name, address, and phone number to yourself. Avoid posting photos of sensitive information as well — such as passport and ID photos, airline tickets, and more. 
• Be careful about posting photos on social media sites. Even if you don’t reveal a name or location, fraudsters can use your images and likeness to manipulate and catfish you or your friends and contacts.

💡 Related: Can Someone Steal Your Identity With Just Your Name and Date of Birth? →

6. Opt out of data broker lists and “people finder” sites

Data brokers and “people search sites” are companies that collect, package, and sell personal information to other businesses, marketers, and government agencies. Brokers like Spokeo and Whitepages aggregate information from public records, social media platforms, and other online sources. 

While the data collection business is perfectly legal and often intended for genuine purposes — like targeted advertising — some data brokers may sell your information to unscrupulous individuals. It’s up to you to prevent your data from falling into the wrong hands.

Here’s what to do:

• Send data removal requests. You’ll need to contact each data broker via the contact details on their website to lodge a takedown request. You can use Privacy Rights’s data broker list to identify all data brokers in your state or those that offer an opt-out process. 
• Periodically repeat the process. Many brokers continue to collect your information even after your removal request has been submitted. To ensure your data is not exposed, you should keep a list of brokers and make additional opt-out requests a few times a year.
• Use an automated content removal service. You can remove more of your information from data broker lists and Google searches in less time with a dedicated service like DeleteMe or Identity Guard.

💡 Related: How Did Someone Get My Credit Card Number? →

7. Use anti-tracking and privacy tools when browsing online

Upwards of 42% of websites use cookies to track online activity [*]. While many sites collect information for advertising purposes, not all have reliable practices when it comes to data privacy and security.

You can get more privacy online by using digital security tools that let you browse freely without worrying about anyone trying to steal your personal information.

Here’s what to do:

• Install a Virtual Private Network (VPN). You can use a service like Hotspot Shield to mask your IP address and hide your internet traffic, browsing activity, and geo-location from prying eyes.
• Use an anti-tracking software. Many free tools prevent websites from using trackers to follow your browsing activity. For example, DuckDuckGo is a search engine that stops sites from tracking you or selling your data.
• Consider ad-blockers. You can block unwanted ads with browser extensions, or use an ad-free browser like Brave. 

8. Remove identifying images from Google Maps

Google Maps is an incredibly helpful tool, but it can also pose several risks to your identity and personal safety. Criminals could use the Streetview feature to look at your home, car license plates, or even images of you and your family. To protect your privacy, you can request that Google blur sensitive images that you don’t want visible in the public domain.

Here’s what to do:

• Find unsolicited images. Open Google Maps on a desktop computer to find your home or business. If you are concerned that images expose the privacy of your home, cars, or family, take screenshots of the images. 
• Remove photos from Google My Business. You can flag a photo on any device by clicking on it and selecting the option to Report a Problem in the bottom right corner.
• Blur images of your property. Use the zoom and adjustment tools to select the area of the image you wish to blur. Google will review your request and may contact you for more information. 

💡 Related: How To Check If Someone Is Using Your Identity in 2024 →

9. Make your public records private

It’s vital to protect sensitive information like your Social Security number (SSN), credit card numbers, and date of birth in case identity thieves or hackers target you. As anyone can legally view public records— like court reports, marriage licenses, or grant applications — you should be vigilant about removing your information. 

Here’s what to do:

• Identify the records. Determine which public records contain your personal information, and decide what you want to remove or redact. You can Google your name and collect the website links on which your information is published.
• Request removal. Contact the appropriate government agency, website, or organization. Ask them to remove your personal information, and provide supporting details or screenshots if necessary.
• Visit the county clerk’s office. These government offices house many of your public records — including court records, birth certificates, wills, deeds, mortgages, and government surveys. Call in advance, and bring your identity documents before discussing any updates to your records.

10. Clean up your email accounts (and start using aliases) 

Your primary email address is a prime target for hackers who know that it most likely connects to your passwords and sensitive information or photos. Even worse, 92% of all malware attacks occur through email [*].

To minimize the threat to your personal information, you should review your systems and use good privacy practices to manage your email accounts. 

Here’s what to do:

• Set up separate email accounts. Divide personal and business matters into separate accounts rather than using the same email account for everything. Many people create separate inboxes for activities such as banking, and may use email aliases for online shopping or third-party sites and apps. 
• Use folders to organize your communications. Create folders and set up filters to categorize incoming mail automatically. Also, periodically review your folders to ensure that you aren't creating a bloated inbox or hoarding old emails that you should delete. 
• Use email management tools. You can use free tools to unsubscribe from newsletters quickly, delete old messages, and remove spam.

💡 Related: How To Find Out If Your Personal Information Is On the Dark Web →

11. Optimize your browser’s privacy settings

Leading browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Apple’s Safari all store your data — including passwords, cached files, and detailed records of the websites you visit. With some simple adjustments to your settings, you can reduce your attack surface — and the chances of a data leak.

Here’s what to do:

• Clear your browsing history. When you get in the habit of wiping your browsing history every week, you can protect your personal information and clear old downloads.
• Block pop-ups. Many phishing scams rely on pop-up ads. You can stay safe when visiting unsecured sites when your browser automatically blocks pop-ups. 
• Delete unused extensions. If you use old extensions that haven’t been updated in a while, hackers could exploit a software vulnerability to access your device. Disable or delete any older or unused extensions in order to improve your security.

💡 Related: 7 Ways Hackers Can Steal Your Passwords (and How To Stop Them) →

12. Sign up for an identity monitoring tool

The introduction of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) improved data protection globally. But these regulations aren't foolproof shields defending your private information. A dedicated platform that constantly monitors your online accounts and finances will protect your privacy as well as help to prevent identity theft. 

Here’s what you get with Identity Guard:

• Award-winning identity monitoring. Identity Guard monitors your most sensitive information and alerts you if your data has been leaked online, in public records, or on the Dark Web. Identity Guard was rated “Best Identity Theft Protection of 2022” by Forbes Advisor. 
• 24/7 Dark Web scanning and alerts. Data breaches can leak your personal data online. Identity Guard scans the Dark Web constantly to warn you if you’re at risk. 
• Three-bureau credit monitoring. Identity Guard will warn you in near real-time if scammers try to open new accounts or take out loans in your name. Identity Guard can also provide you with updates on your credit score, and warn you of suspicious transactions in your bank, credit, and investment accounts. 
• White Glove Fraud Resolution support. If you have questions or think you’ve been the victim of fraud, Identity Guard’s U.S.-based resolution specialists are available to help. 
• Digital security tools. To prevent hacking, viruses, and other forms of cybercrime, every Identity Guard account comes with Safe Browsing tools and a secure password manager.
• $1 million in identity theft insurance. If the worst should happen, every adult member on an Identity Guard plan is covered for up to $1 million in eligible losses due to identity theft. 

Can You Remove Your Personal Info From the Dark Web? 

The Dark Web is a small, concealed part of the internet that is only accessible by using specialized web browsers like Tor. Users on the Dark Web are virtually impossible to trace — making it ideal for anonymous communication and illegal activity. 

If a data breach occurs at a company with which you have an account, there’s a real risk that your personal info will be leaked on the Dark Web. 

Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to remove your personal information from the internet once it's circulating on the Dark Web. However, you can use a Dark Web monitoring service to check if your data has been exposed. 

A Dark Web monitoring tool scans thousands of websites daily and sends alerts if it detects any of your information, like your credit card numbers or passwords. These notifications give you a chance to block cards or change compromised account details before it's too late.

How To Protect Your Privacy Online — And in Real Life

It only takes a minute for fraudsters to seize your personal information — and the fallout could impact your life for months or even years. 

Here are seven steps to improve your privacy:

• Clean up your privacy settings online. Keep any social media profiles set to private, and limit the data you allow other online services to share about you with their marketing partners and other organizations.  
• Don’t link accounts unless necessary. While it's convenient to connect third-party tools so that you can log in faster (such as by using “Log in with Facebook/Amazon/Apple”), every integration adds another entry point for hackers. Minimize the attack surface by reducing linked accounts. 
• Avoid using public Wi-Fi. Many networks in public places (including hotels and airports) are not secure. If you use public networks, avoid logging in to your online bank and email accounts or entering sensitive information on e-commerce sites.
• Always use a virtual private network (VPN). Switching to a private network is a great way to minimize public Wi-Fi security risks. A VPN encrypts your connection, stopping hackers from intercepting your data.
• Always check out as a “guest.” When you purchase something online, do so as a “guest” whenever possible. The fewer accounts you have online — especially ones that store your credit card information — the easier it is to safeguard your personal information.
• Don’t be fooled by incognito or private mode. Although these modes offer some privacy, they are not impenetrable shields. You still need to take care when browsing to avoid falling for phishing scams — and never share personal information.
• Use a password manager. It’s hard to remember passwords for all of your online accounts. You can create and store unique, complex login credentials for every account when you use a secure password manager. 

The bottom line is that when more of your personal information is available online, the easier it is for cybercriminals to target you with scams or steal your identity. However, becoming a "digital ghost" is practically impossible today. 

For optimal protection and peace of mind, you need a dedicated service to protect your data and devices proactively.

Identity Guard's award-winning identity theft protection solution monitors your most sensitive information and warns you if you're at risk. If you fall prey to fraud, Identity Guard’s fraud resolution team will help you recover, while the $1 million identity theft insurance policy can give you peace of mind that you won’t be stuck paying for losses due to identity theft.

Keep your personal data private — and safe. Save 33% when you sign up for Identity Guard today.