A woman bravely shares her harrowing cyberstalking story in hopes of preventing others from experiencing the same ordeal. Jennifer (name changed for privacy) reveals that her nightmare began when she started receiving suspicious notifications stating that her social media accounts were accessed from unfamiliar locations. “I quickly blocked my stalker on social accounts and made them private, along with those close to him who might unknowingly provide him with information,” she recalls. The feeling of not being able to communicate the way she usually does was terrifying. Jennifer now prioritizes minimizing the information she shares online to reduce her risk.
Cyberstalking is a pervasive issue affecting millions of Americans, with a shocking three million people stalked using technology in 2019 alone, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. What many fail to realize is that 67 percent of cyberstalking victims actually know their stalkers, based on research from the U.S. Government. Darren Guccione, CEO and co-founder of Keeper Security, emphasizes the growing interconnectedness of our digital and physical lives. He warns that the consequences of online behavior can have devastating effects on victims.
Guccione and Jennifer point out several warning signs that indicate someone might be a victim of cyberstalking. One clear red flag is receiving password reset requests for social media, email, or banking accounts without initiating them. This may indicate an attempt to change passwords and gain control of personal or financial information. Another sign is discovering fake profiles pretending to be the victim on social media platforms, often used to spread unpleasant stories or harass friends. If people you don’t know or trust share private information about you online, it could be a tell-tale sign of a fake profile. Jennifer personally experienced login notifications from unfamiliar locations, only to realize they were from her estranged husband’s home or workplace. Unexplained packages arriving at your doorstep, especially unwanted ones, are also signs of cyberstalking behavior meant to instill fear. Lastly, cyberstalkers frequently create fake profiles to befriend and harass victims. If this happens to you, reach out to customer support for assistance.
Guccione stresses that online harassment and cyberstalking can easily spill over into the physical world, so physical security should never be neglected. Utilizing tools like Virtual Private Network (VPN) apps to hide your location, password managers for easy and rapid password changes, and disabling geo-tagging on photos can help protect your privacy. Changing passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and disabling geo-tagging are vital steps in preventing cyberstalkers from gaining confidential information or tracking physical locations. Victims may also receive threatening messages, and cyberstalkers might set up fake accounts to further torment or manipulate their targets.
If you suspect you are being cyberstalked, take immediate action to minimize your online presence and maximize your privacy using digital tools. Guccione recommends the use of VPN apps, password managers, and two-factor authentication to safeguard your accounts and personal information. By taking these precautions, you can protect yourself from the devastating effects of cyberstalking.
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