Cyberstalking is when a person or hacker stalks you online to get all personal information about you, such as your phone number, calls, messages, emails, social media accounts, and even finances. A cyberstalker may harm you after getting hold of such information by ruining your reputation online through derogatory remarks, false accusations, or even holding your information for ransom.
Hackers can take cyberstalking to greater heights, such as conducting identity theft or ransomware. This is when malicious software is introduced within your data which freezes it, making you unable to access the files. Once ransomware comes into play, it will require you to enter a pin or a code which will be provided by the hackers only when you pay the asked amount of ransom. If you ever come across such a situation, ideally contact cybersecurity companies immediately and have them perform processes such as ransomware removal and ransomware recovery. While chances are bleak that you may be able to restore your data, hence, it’s always better to take caution before you or your family’s safety is threatened or compromised.
Physical Access
Make sure you only allow those individuals to access your computer whom you can trust. People can take advantage of your absence and perhaps introduce a virus in your system, which may aid them further in stalking you. Hackers don’t only use software rather they can also manipulate your hardware and use it to track you like adding a GPS device, a voice recorder or camera that they can easily access. This will give them access to all your conversations, your whereabouts, and other personal information.
Logging In And Out
Make sure you only log into computes you trust. At times, logging into a risky device can also result in data breach which stalkers could use to their advantage. Also when you use a computer, even it is your own, make sure to log out. You never know whose hands it could come into in your absence and what data they can retrieve from it. This also applies to all social media accounts that you use as they too possess a risk of being hacked.
Posting Online
Posting online excessively could lead to the stalker finding a pattern to your daily activities and can let them know exactly where you are. It can also give them insight into your personal life, and they can start deriving ways and strategies to attack you or shame you. Also, when you post photos online with your location on, it leads to a lot of metadata. This reveals where the photo was taken and other information which can aid the stalker’s purpose.
Educate Yourself
The key thing is to educate yourself about cyberstalking and what it is. Make sure to never share personal information with a person you do not trust and keep things to yourself. Cyberstalking can happen to anyone, and being ignorant about it will not help.
Beware Of Your Presence Online
The best way of being aware of your presence online is to use a search engine like Google to find out. Google your name in various combinations to find out more about yourself and how much the world knows of you. This way, you can control the information you put out.
