Cyberstalking: What is it?
As defined by the FBI, cyberstalking is when an individual uses the internet, or other electronic means to harass or intimidate another individual.
A common characteristic is the tracking of a person’s locationmonitoring of their onlineoffline activitiesMany cyberstalkers attach GPS devices to their victims’ cars, use geolocation spyware on their smartphone,stalk their victims on social media.
Other inappropriate behavior that is intended to intimidate or distress victims is also considered cyberstalkingCyberstalkers may harass their victims on social media, trollingsending threatening messages, or they may hack their email accounts, communicating with their contacts, including friendsemployersFaked photosthreatening messages can be part of social media stalkingIn cyberstalking, rumors are leakedfalse accusations are made, or revenge porn is publishedAlso, they might create a fake social media profile about the victim or create a fake blog about the victim.
We now understand what cyber stalking isBut who can be the victims? The answer might surprise youCyber stalking victims are mostly female, but 20 to 40 percent are men as well.
A cyberstalker does a lot more than just follow someone on social mediaThe defining quality of cyberstalking is the intention to intimidate.
What To Do When You’re Cyber Stalked
If someone is stalking you online, do not waithope it will go away – take action ASAP.
- Cyber stalkers should know that you do not wish to be contactedYou may want to write them a warning that if they continue, you will call the policeOnce you’ve issued the warning, don’t communicate with them at all.
- The police or Private Investigator Manchester should be contacted if they continueThere are many police departments with specialized cyber stalking units, but they won’t quibble about the definition of cyber stalkingWhether it’s on Facebook, through email, or by spyware on your phone, they will deal with threats or harassment, Trojan investigations,intimidation.
- Use a family member or friend’s phone to contact someone if you suspect someone is spying on you through spyware.
- Make sure your computerphone are checked for spywareother indications of compromised accounts.
- You should change the passwords on all your accounts.
- You should use your privacy settings to block a social media stalker,then report the abuse to the social media platformOn the help pages of most social networks, you can find information about reporting cyber stalking.
- You probably know the stalker’s ISP if you’ve received abusive or threatening emails from themThis is the part after the @ in their email addressFor more information, contact postmaster@domainname.com or abuse@domainname.comCyber stalking is seriously taken by most ISPsYou can report abuse using the Google Mail abuse reporting mechanismhttps://support.google.com/mail/contact/abuse.
- To avoid having to read abusive emails, you can filter them into a separate folder.
- Be sure to tell your employer if you’re worried that the cyber stalker will harass you at work.
Any communications from the networks must be saved, including your own, police reports,emailsCreate a backup by using a USB flash drive or external drive.