Knowing how to stop cyber stalking isn’t typically on everyone’s resume, however, with today’s digital empire, cybercrimes are coming to an all-time high and people must take cybersecurity measures more seriously. If you are currently struggling with unwanted advances and need a way to put an end to digital abuse, read on to find out what exactly entails cyberstalking, how you can protect yourself, and how to ultimately put an end to the harassment.
What is Cyberstalking?
Cyberstalking is when a person forms an almost obsession with another individual and tries to communicate with them through dozens of online platforms. This type of online abuse typically involves harassing and threatening messages, calls, emails, and social media postings, and the harassment can even escalate into in-person stalking and physical harm.
Cyberstalkers will even go to the degree of trying to find their victim’s location by hacking their devices, contacting family and friends to see where they can be found, or also stalking their loved ones’ socials for hints of where their victim is.
How Can I Protect Myself If I’m Being Cyberstalked?
Cyber stalking is an unfortunate reality of life online, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Whether it’s a person known to you or someone lurking on the web unknown, following these tips will ensure that your safety and privacy remain secure in the digital world.
For starters, it’s crucial to stay up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity practices. Start by strengthening privacy settings across all of your online accounts including your social media, email, and bank accounts. This will ensure that only people you know can view your content as well as make sure your cyberstalker doesn’t access any of your accounts.
Be cautious about who you accept as a friend online. Cyberstalkers are known to use burner accounts disguised as different people to try and contact you. So, we recommend only accepting any requests from people you know personally.
Limiting the amount of personal information on your online accounts will also be very beneficial. Most people reveal a lot about themselves online, which can also allow granting your cyberstalker access to your personal life including your job, love life, family life, and your locations.
Taking the initiative and blocking their accounts to halt any further contact is also important. Additionally, you can report these profiles by flagging them as potential offenders which could lead to having those dangerous accounts permanently taken offline.
Lastly, you should let someone know what is happening. That could be a friend or a family member. By letting them know what’s happening, they can be the support system you need and keep an eye out for your safety.
How To Stop Cyberstalking?
The most effective way of ending cyberstalking is to build up the courage to reach out and ask for help. Staying silent about stalking only lets the threats and harassment continue and even escalate. Involving the police is your best chance of protecting yourself from further harassment or stress. Building a legal case against your stalker can be an effective way to put a stop to their behavior; depending on the damage caused they could even face hefty fines or jail time as retribution!
Conclusions
As a victim learning how to stop cyber stalking is your biggest chance to put an end to this consistent and dangerous form of harassment. It’s critical to implement strong security settings, block and report all of your stalker’s accounts, and take it to the police to end the abuse for good. You don’t have to suffer in silence. There is help available! Take action today!
