What is Cyberstalking and How to Prevent It?

Cyberstalking is a type of online harassment where an individual uses digital means, such as social media, email, instant messaging (IM), or messages posted to a discussion group or forum, to stalk or harass their victims. This crime has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, with cyberstalkers taking advantage of the anonymity afforded by the internet to target their victims without being caught, punished, or even detected.

The terms "cyberstalking" and "cyberbullying" are often used interchangeably, but cyberstalking is a more specific form of online harassment. Cyberstalking can take many forms, including sending strange or unpleasant messages, posting false information online, infecting devices with ransomware, or installing keystroke loggers to steal sensitive data.

Advanced Methods of Cyberstalking

Cyberstalkers have become increasingly sophisticated in their methods, using advanced technologies such as geotracking, spoofing, and hacking to target their victims. These technologies make it difficult for law enforcement to track down cyberstalkers and bring them to justice.

Types of Cyberstalking

Cyberstalking can be direct or indirect. Direct attacks involve emailing victims or flooding their inboxes with emails, while indirect attacks involve using technologies to surveil or follow victims or continuously view their online activity without their knowledge. Indirect methods often go unnoticed initially, making them particularly insidious.

Victims of Cyberstalking

Anyone can be a victim of cyberstalking, regardless of age, gender, or background. However, according to the FBI, children and adults are particularly vulnerable to one type of cyberstalking: sextortion. This is when stalkers threaten victims with the release of private or sensitive information unless they meet the stalker's demands for sexual favors or nude photos.

Consequences of Cyberstalking

Cyberstalking can have severe consequences for its victims, including feelings of hopelessness, self-harm, and even suicide. It is essential to take immediate action if you become a victim of cyberstalking, reporting the offender to your internet service provider, blocking the person's online activity, and saving evidence to share with law enforcement.

Prevention Strategies

To prevent cyberstalking, individuals can take several steps:

  • Stay as anonymous as possible online, using nicknames or gender-neutral names when creating profiles.
  • Avoid posting personal details online, such as email addresses, home addresses, phone numbers, or workplace details.
  • Use a primary email account only for communicating with trusted individuals and set up an anonymous email account for all other communications.
  • Install email spam filters to minimize the risk of phishing or cyberstalking attacks.
  • Minimize the amount of information available online about you, and consider creating fake decoy information to mislead cyberstalkers.

Reporting Cyberstalking

If you become a victim of cyberstalking, it is essential to take immediate action. Report the offender to your internet service provider, block their online activity, and save evidence to share with law enforcement. Most social media platforms make it easy to report abusive behavior.

Conclusion

Cyberstalking is a serious crime that can have severe consequences for its victims. By understanding the different types of cyberstalking and taking steps to prevent it, individuals can protect themselves online and stay safe in the digital age.