Cyberstalking Protection: Ways To Deal With Threats
The Internet environment does not differ very much from the physical reality. There are the same dangers that we can face on the street. One such threat is cyberstalking. What is it and what are the features of cyberstalking protection? This is a very relevant question. Lately, we have had a lot of talk about cyberbullying and cyberstalking. However, they can range from jokes to real attempts to harm you. Let’s talk about it in more detail.
Cyberstalking protection: facts, features, useful tips
Cyberstalking is a form of stalking itself. In this case, you face persistent, unwanted and intrusive behaviour in the online environment. People can hurt you through social media, email, and other online means.
What do we know about cyberstalking?
At first, glance, cyberstalking is a harmless act. At least in the early stages. So, you often do not even know who your cyberstalker is. Sometimes you can mistake your friends for cyberstalking. However, sometimes it takes on dangerous proportions. So, a cyberstalker can harass you, humiliate you and terrorize you. The more you try to get away from cyberstalking, the more the stalker gets into a rage. The extreme and most dangerous facet of cyberstalking is criminal behaviour.
Who is involved in cyberstalking? As a rule, this is done by people you know:
🔍 a rejected partner;
🔍 your friends;
🔍 former colleagues or bosses.
Why is cyberstalking dangerous?
Internet stalking can indeed be dangerous. And so cyberstalking protection becomes important.
1️⃣ First, when you are being harassed online, you feel uncomfortable and threatened.
2️⃣ Secondly, the goal of the cyber stalker is to control you. So it will pester you on social media and other places.
3️⃣ Thirdly, cyberstalking can go beyond the Internet and move into real-life space.
Cyberstalking has bad consequences: violent behaviour, theft of personal information, etc. Accordingly, cyberstalking affects not only yourself but also your environment, work or family.
Fundamentals of cyberstalking protection
How to deal with cyberstalking? Where to report online harassment incidents? Online harassment is the same as a similar phenomenon in real life. The victims are not to blame for the persecutor torturing them. Therefore, the sources and causes of cyberbullying are no less complex and serious than those we encounter offline. It is important to know that cyberstalking violates your rights. In addition, it violates the terms of service of Internet providers, software vendors, etc. The work of IT specialists, in this case, is used not for good purposes, but criminal activities. Therefore, the first step you can take is to contact your ISP, as well as the ISP of the stalker, and report the problem. The second step is to file a complaint with the local police department.
Difficulties of cyberstalking protection
However, there are certain difficulties that you will encounter when trying to protect yourself from cyberstalking.
1️⃣ Firstly, it’s hard to ban someone from using social media. If one profile is blocked, the stalker can always create a new profile.
2️⃣ Secondly, the police do not always want to do this. It will be much more productive if you contact an Internet provider. They have a lot of social media activity data. You can provide messages and email reports. Press the print screen button on your keyboard to take a screenshot of your screen. Open a drawing program (like Paint), and click insert the image. Save the picture. And your evidence is ready.
What does cyberstalking include?
Let’s summarize. What does cyberstalking include? It may be persecution of you personally. However, you may also face break-ins and damage to your property to keep your activities under surveillance. The purpose of the cyber stalker is to control you. Therefore, changing passwords regularly is not a productive way of cyberstalking protection.
Here are some tips that can help you in cyberstalking protection:
🔍 Make sure your computer is yours alone. That is, you must be sure that no one except you has access to your laptop and smartphone.
🔍 Always exit all applications and programs in the browser.
🔍 Use a password on your computer and phone.
🔍 Delete personal information about yourself on social networks and wherever you can do it.
🔍 Make sure apps on your smartphone don’t have access to your location.
🔍 If you suspect your devices have been hacked, seek help.
Thus, now you know the basics of cyberstalking protection. Our advice: take steps to prevent cyberstalking and protect your data and yourself.
Summary:
Cyberstalking is a form of online harassment that involves the use of technology, such as the internet, social media, and other forms of electronic communication, to stalk or harass an individual. It can involve a wide range of behaviors, including sending threatening messages, spreading rumors or false information about the victim, monitoring the victim’s online activities, and gathering personal information about the victim without their consent. Cyberstalking can have serious consequences for the victim, including emotional distress, loss of privacy, and even physical harm.
There are several ways that individuals can protect themselves from cyberstalking. Some tips include:
- Be cautious about what personal information you share online: Only share personal information with trusted sources and be careful about what you post on social media and other online platforms.
- Use strong and unique passwords: Use a different password for each account and make sure they are strong and difficult to guess.
- Enable privacy settings: Make sure that your social media and other online accounts have strong privacy settings to prevent strangers from accessing your information.
- Don’t open suspicious emails or click on unfamiliar links: Be careful about what emails you open and what links you click on, as these can often contain malware or lead to phishing attacks.
- Keep your devices up to date: Make sure that your devices, including your computer and phone, have the latest security updates and software to protect against cyber threats.
If you are being cyberstalked, it is important to document the incidents and report them to the authorities. You can also seek support from friends, family, and organizations that can help you protect yourself and get the help you need.
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