Cyber Stalking
Cyber stalking and physical stalking can lead to a physical attack. Document and take precautions to protect yourself.
- Posting threats or attacks on social networking sites.
- Creating false profiles and sending 'friend requests' or 'follow requests'.
- Gaining access to already established accounts.
- GPS (global positioning system) built in phones on shared plans or can be purchased and installed in vehicles. Used to track and monitor victim.
- Text messaging
- Email
- Instant messenger
- Set your profile to 'private'. With some social networking sites, this might entail just checking a box.
- Use your own phone service.
- Limit posting any amount of information that is personal, identifying or shows scheduling of any kind. The more information you post about yourself, the more likely you will be tracked.
- Do not accept 'friend requests' (or "follow requests") from strangers. If you can contact the person off-line to verify he or she sent the request.
- Warn your friends and acquaintances not to post personal information about you, especially your contact information and location.
- Avoid online polls or quizzes.
- Make sure there aren't any indicators of your location, (current or future) in any of your posted photos.
- Use extreme caution when connecting your cell phone to your social networking account.
- Always use a strong, unique password for every social networking site.
- Remember you most likely will not know if your stalker has accessed your online social networking account.
- Only post information that would not expose you to harm if your stalker should read it.