What Is Cyber Stalking? Who Is More Likely to Be Cyber Stalked and How Should You Protect Yourself?

The phrase Cyber Stalking has been used in the media a lot recently and a 2011 study suggested it is 'now more common' than face-to-face stalking but what actually is cyber stalking?

There are a range of crime prevention measures you can follow to prevent becoming a victim. But first let's talk about what a cyber stalker does and who a cyber stalker really is...

Put simply cyber stalking is where an offender, let's call them Mr A. Creep uses technology such as facebook, email or mobile phones to stalk you. Mr A. Creep as a cyber stalker wont stalk you when you're going to the shops or out with friends, but they will stalk you while you are online. Research suggests that this can still cause serious psychological damage and is a major issue.

What Is Cyber Stalking? Who Is More Likely to Be Cyber Stalked and How Should You Protect Yourself?

In the majority of cases Mr A.Creep is actually somebody you know in some way and has decided to cyber stalk you for some reason.

Unfortunately when we use technology it leaves a digital footprint, which can include personal and financial information.Mr A. Creep will look for information to harass and intimidate their victim.

Five Quick Facts on Cyber Stalking

65% of victims are women. Women are more concerned about the risk of injury Men who were cyber stalked were more concerned about damage to reputation and financial loss 77% of women were stalked by someone they knew. Teenagers were most likely to be harassed on social network sites

Taken from a study by the University of Bedfordshire (Maple, Short and Brown, 2011)

Real life cyber stalking

The Guardian reported on the terrifying case of Joanne. Joanne visited a notice board, the cyber stalker knew this and added some personal details that she would see, things like email and phone number. Then comments about updates Joanne's children had posted on Facebook would appear. The next stage involved the cyber stalker making false allegations about Joanne and her husband, including that they were paedophiles and were involved in criminal activities at work.

Joanne contacted the police, who failed to take it seriously Joanne stated he put us through hell. It was terrifying. One Monday I got up and I couldn't do anything but cry. I thought he was going to kill me.

Physical attacks on Joanne's car began, at this stage the offender was arrested and charged with harassment - the stalker was a casual acquaintance with a grudge.

What to do if you are worried about cyber stalking

Contact the police and save any evidence you may have such as texts, emails, Facebook messages and screenshots. Being cyber stalked could make you feel more vulnerable when going about your offline life. Stalking prevention products such as personal alarms, electronic peephole viewers or CCTV that can be viewed on your smartphone could help you feel more comfortable when you're out and about. Contact one of the main stalking support groups that offer great help and advice if you feel like you're being cyber stalked. If you feel uncomfortable with someone and think you may be a victim of stalking follow the

Six Ways to protect yourself from cyber stalking

1. Protect yourself using Google alerts. Enter your name, email, phone number or any other information you wish to monitor into Google Alerts. Once an alert is set up you will receive alert emails for new mentions of these details when they appear on the internet.

2. Buy a voice recorder to record threatening voice mails or phone conversations.

3. Invest in a USB memory stick to back up important information in case your cyber stalker gains access to your computer.

4. Buy anti-spyware software, this is different to anti-virus software.

5. Shredding your paper documents is also an effective way of making sure no private information can be gained by your cyber stalker.

6. For added security invest in the best personal alarms or the first personal security app that has gained 'Police Preferred Specification'.

Don't be a victim of cyber stalking, there is crime prevention help out there.

What Is Cyber Stalking? Who Is More Likely to Be Cyber Stalked and How Should You Protect Yourself?
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