Cyberstalking is the repeated use of digital technology to harass, threaten, or monitor someone without their consent. It exploits online anonymity and accessibility to cause fear, distress, and emotional harm. Victims often feel constantly watched, which can severely disrupt daily life and personal safety.
Cyberstalking harms both mental health and personal reputation, sometimes leading to severe emotional or physical risks.
Note: 69% of stalking victims experience immense emotional distress. The fear that cyberstalking victims experience is often higher than it is for in-person stalking.
Cyberstalkers use a variety of deceptive tactics to monitor and control their victims, often combining technology with psychological manipulation.
Attackers trick users into installing malware that secretly gives access to their device's webcam. Victims remain entirely unaware while stalkers monitor or record them in real time.
Stalkers track location updates, check-ins, and posts shared publicly on social media platforms. This helps them understand the victim’s daily routine and predict their movements easily.
Attackers create fake social media profiles by impersonating someone trustworthy or known to the victim. They build emotional trust over time and later exploit it for manipulation or harassment.
Stalkerware is secretly installed on a victim’s smartphone or computer to track their GPS location, read private messages, and monitor activities. It runs hidden in the background, giving the stalker continuous access to private data.
Digital photos often contain hidden location data (EXIF metadata) that reveals exactly where the image was taken. Stalkers download these images and extract the metadata to track the victim’s location.
Taking simple precautions and staying alert online can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim.
Use privacy settings to strictly limit who can see your posts, photos, and personal information. Share content only with trusted friends and avoid public visibility.
Do not post upcoming events, travel plans, or live locations on social media in advance. Wait until you have left a location before posting about it to prevent stalkers from tracking your movements.
Always completely log out of accounts when using public or shared computers. This prevents others from accessing your saved credentials or personal data after you leave.
Create strong, unique passwords that are difficult to guess. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to add an impenetrable extra layer of security to your accounts.
Avoid accessing sensitive accounts or sharing personal information on unencrypted public Wi-Fi. Cyberstalkers can exploit unsecured networks to monitor your online activity.
Regularly search your own name online to see what information is publicly available. Remove or request the deletion of any sensitive or unnecessary personal data from public directories.
Cyberstalking is a punishable offense. Governments and law enforcement agencies provide multiple ways to report incidents and seek immediate help.
Which technique involves an attacker creating a fake profile to build emotional trust and manipulate a victim?