Media Harassment and Cyber Stalking
The Use of Technology to Stalk:
Cyberstalking can be defined as threatening behavior or unwanted advances directed at another using the internet and other forms of onlne computer communication.
Some stalkers and/or abusers may use many different methods to monitor, watch, track and harass their victims. Some examples are tapping telephones, installing cameras in the victims’ house, installing tracking devices in the victim’s car, installing web cameras.
Cyberstalking occurs when one person monitors or follows another person on the internet. A stalker or abuser may:
- Send threatening or obscene e-mails or instant messages
- Spam (sending excessive junk e-mails)
- Live Chat harassment or flaming (online verbal abuse)
- Leave impure messages on massage boards
- Send electronic viruses
- Trace another person's computer and internet activity
- Install keyboard logging software, which will record everything typed on that keyboard
- Download and use computer monitoring software such as SpyWare that tracks victims internet use
- Check the history of websites (if they have access to the victim's computer)
- Follow the victim to different chat rooms
- Pursue private information through internet sources(such as former schools, the names and addresses of the victim, their friends and family) as a means of monitoring or harassing.
- Intercept emails intended for the victim
- Electronic I.D. Theft
- Download and use computer monitoring
Protect Yourself from Cyberstalking on Facebook, Myspace, and other Networking Sites:
Tips from Facebook:
- Never share your password with anyone
- Adjust your privacy settings to match your level of comfort, and review them often
- Be cautious about posting and sharing personal information, especially information that could be used to identify you or locate you offline, such as your address or telephone number
- Report users and content that violate our Terms of Use
- Block and report anyone that sends you unwanted or inappropriate communications
We say to leave your privacy settings on the highest to ensure your pictures, phone, address, name, etc. are protected.
