CONFRONTING CYBER STALKING

The cyber Helpline and advice on UNDERSTANDING and PROTECTING YOUR CYBER SECURITY.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Overview of Cyber Stalking
• Understanding Security of Cyber Stalking
• Protecting Your Cyber Security

The use of the Internet or other electronic methods to stalk or harass a person, group, or organisation is known as cyberstalking. False charges, defamation, slander, and libel are examples. Monitoring, identity theft, threats, vandalism, sex solicitation, doxing, or blackmail are all examples.

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Table of Content

• Overview 
• 'UNDERSTAND' - a form for cyber security
• How can I report cyber crime in India?

Overview 

What is cyberstalking explain?

Cyberstalking is a crime in which someone harasses or stalks a victim using electronic or digital means, such as social media, email, instant messaging (IM), or messages posted to a discussion group or forum.

What is cyberstalking with example?

Post rude, offensive, or suggestive comments online. Follow the target online by joining the same groups and forums. Send threatening, controlling, or lewd messages or emails to the target. Use technology to threaten or blackmail the target.

Who are the victim of cyberstalking?

Most cyberstalking victims were found to be female, aged 30 years or older and with a good level of education. A number of behaviours are often associated with cyberstalking but it was found that many of these activities, such as identity theft and fraud, are not common.

How do you protect yourself from Cyber Stalkers?

1. Review and change passwords for all online accounts.
2. Enable strict privacy settings on social media platforms.
3. Disable any publicly available itineraries or calendars.
4. Limit online sharing with individuals outside your close friends or family

How do I report cyberstalking?

File a police report if you feel you are in immediate danger, call 101. If the issue doesn't place you in immediate danger, call the non-emergency number of your local law enforcement officials. State that you would like to make a report about cyber harassment.

Cyberstalking is often accompanied by realtime or offline stalking. In many jurisdictions, such as India, both are criminal offenses. Both are motivated by a desire to control, intimidate or influence a victim. 

A stalker may be an online stranger or a person whom the target knows. They may be anonymous and solicit involvement of other people online who do not even know the target. 

Cyberstalking is a criminal offense under various state anti-stalking, slander and harassment laws. A conviction can result in a restraining order, probation, or criminal penalties against the assailant, including jail.

'UNDERSTAND' - a form for cyber security

U- Understand your online security

Make sure you have secure passwords (which you should change on a regular basis) and two-factor authentication.

Check your social network privacy settings and grant access to only trusted friends.

Because the stalker could be using a phoney profile, be cautious about accepting new friend/connection requests.

N- Never communicate with the stalker (even if it feels safe to do so). 

The stalker's goal is usually to chat to you and form a relationship with you. Do not respond to their messages, do not agree to meet with them, and do not confront them about stalking.

Always seek advice from the National Stalking Helpline (see below).

D- Document everything

Take a screenshot or print the pages if you want to keep a record of all incidents of internet stalking. Attempt to record the messages as well as the profile pages (with the user name) where the abuse is occurring. This information will be important in the inquiry. Any log could be useful in gathering evidence as well.'

If you believe that an account or device has been hacked or that malicious software has been installed, seek professional assistance to secure the data and capture the evidence before destroying it (contact the Cyber Helpline or the National Stalking Helpline).

E- Expert assistance

Obtain professional assistance from a stalking charity, such as the National Stalking Helpline, for guidance, support, and risk and safety management.

The Cyber Helpline can also help you with expert advice on cyber security and can assist with assessing the IT capability of the stalker. 

R- Report it to the police

Stalking behaviour should be reported to the police as soon as it begins; you can do so by dialling 155260. If you believe you are in urgent danger, phone 101.

S- Secure your devices

Check the privacy settings on all of your devices.

Use a strong anti-virus programme, conduct a software scan, and keep your equipment up to date as soon as feasible.

Examine your devices for any unknown apps that may have been installed to share information.

T- Turn off location tagging when you post anything or check in on social media.

Many social networking platforms employ GPS tracking to tag posts and photographs with your position. Turn this off in the settings.

Check apps such as 'Find my' to make sure you aren't sharing your location with people you don't know.

A- Alert those around you so people are aware you are being cyberstalked

Enlist the help of friends and family, and encourage them to check their own online security.

Ask them to be cautious about what information they give about you and to avoid any interaction with the stalker, since they are likely to try to contact people close to you.

N- Navigate through the Cyber Helpline's Cyber Stalking Action Plan

The Cyber Helpline Cyberstalking Action Plan is a strategy for regaining your online privacy, security, and trust.

D- Decrease your online footprint 

Examine what personal information about you is available online and delete any that you don't want.

Try searching for yourself on Google to see if you can locate your address, phone number, or areas where you spend a lot of time. When you find it, contact the website's owner and request that the content be removed.

Remove your name from the electoral register's public list and make sure your phone number is no longer in use.

How can I report cyber crime in India?

You can report a cyber crime at the online portal "https://cyber crime.gov.in"  or A victim can simply dial the hotline "155260", initiated by the Government of India.

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