Blog 9: EOTO-Cyberstalking

 

    Merriam Webster's definition of cyberstalking is: the use of electronic communication to harass or threaten someone with physical harm. Cyberstalkers will hack into social media accounts to post harmful or inappropriate content, hack into computers to find explicit content to put on the web, and/or use your social media and/or email to cyberstalk others. 

Is cyberstalking illegal?

    In a time when social media is at a all time high and everyone is posting where they are going, what they are doing, what they are eating, where they are shopping, and even shopping online, it seems that our information is all over the great wide web, but what happens when this information is taken by someone else to use against us? Cyberstalking can be considered one of the most potentially dangerous cybercrimes, usually cyberstalking is the first step to a more serious crime, so it is taken very seriously by law enforcement. Consequences for cyberstalking vary depending on the severity of the case, they can include misdemeanor or felony charges depending on whether an actual threat was made or how much harm was done. 

Can you prevent cyberstalking?

    There is not one solution to prevent cyberstalking; however, there are steps one can take to protect their private information, thus protecting yourself from this online danger. 

1. Limit the amount of personal information you share on your accounts
2. Change your passwords frequently
3. Check and change privacy setting on social media accounts (they can change often, make sure your current settings are right for you)
4. Hide your IP address
5. Use a gender-neutral screen name: cyberstalkers tend to go after women more often than men
6. Regularly check what information of yours is available online: a quick google search of your name can provide you with information that you might now is available on the internet

What to do if you're being stalked online?

    Being cyberstalking can be frightening, but there are some things you can and should do when you think or are being stalked online. 

1. Trust your gut: if you feel like you are in an unsafe situation, trust your gut and shut it down. Block the person if possible. 
2. Keep evidence: make sure you have proof of the incident to show to the authorities if it comes down to you having to go to the police. You might feel better deleting the information, but it is more helpful for you to keep it. 
3. Go to the authorities: if the situation gets worse or you start to get threats take all the evidence you have and take it to the local police department to see what they can do to keep you safe. 

How can cyberstalking affect victims?

    While cyberstalking does not involve any form of physical involvement, victims can still be negatively affected in many ways. Victims can experience sleep disturbances, recurring nightmares, high levels of stress, a feeling of being out of control, a pervasive sense of the loss of personal safety, and much more. Don't think that just because you can not see the abuser that abuse is not happening, cyberstalking is very real and very scary, make sure to check in on someone you know has been or is experiencing cyberstalking. 

Sources:

https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/security-awareness/what-cyberstalking-prevent/

https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/is-there-a-law-against-cyberstalking-or-cyberharassment-31710

https://www.cybereason.com/cyber-stalking-prevention