Being stalked online isn't just creepy, it can have dangerous and terrifying consequences. Stalkers often reveal personal information, not just your photos, which they can use to blackmail or defraud you.
EarthWeb online privacy expert Trevor Cooke shares the four most common signs of online stalking to watch out for.
Excessive messages and comments
If you notice that a certain user is constantly messaging you and commenting on all your posts, this could be a red flag. “If it's not your distant aunt who doesn't understand social media well, it's probably someone with bad intentions,” Trevor warns. We all have family members who over-interact on social media. It's annoying, but harmless. But it's a different story when you notice someone exhibiting the same familiar behavior and you don't know who it is.
“The quickest action you can take to stop this potential stalker is to block them on all your social media accounts,” Trevor says.
Unusual patterns in social media interactions
If a stalker collects enough information about you online, they may learn who your closest friends and associates are. If you start noticing strangers sending friend requests to your friends and family and also interacting with you on social media channels, they may be trying to get more information about you from other sources. . Trevor says: “If your stalker eventually learns sensitive information about you, such as your work or home address, this could pose a threat to your safety. My best advice is to , if you feel like someone is digitally stalking you, trust your instincts.” If so, ask the police to intervene. ”
The majority of people are being stalked by someone they already know. A stalker can be anyone, from acquaintances to ex-partners. “If you have a problematic ex-partner who you're still friends with on social media, and you notice that they're becoming more active, be on the lookout for real-life sightings,” says Trevor. “Take screenshots of problematic online interactions so you have evidence to report the stalking to authorities.”
Receiving inappropriate gifts
Extreme online stalkers will find a way to obtain your personal information and send things to your workplace, work or personal email, or even your home mailbox. If a stalker aims to scare you, they may take photos of you and send them through online messages to let you know you are being watched.
Trevor says, “Other inappropriate gifts include items that have deep emotional meaning to you and could only be given by someone who knows you well, or items that you have expressed interest in on social media.'' There are items related to this.” Any surprise gift from a stranger is strange. Especially if the gift is too personal to be a coincidence.
Suspicious knowledge of your personal information
If you start interacting with someone online and they say something about you that seems suspiciously accurate, they may be stalking you online. It's normal to casually browse a person's Instagram or other social media accounts or joke with your friends about “stalking” them when you first meet them. A real stalker takes it to a whole new level.
“Think about the popular Netflix show 'YOU,'” Trevor says. “The main character, Joe, is very good at stalking women on social media using fake accounts to find out exactly what they like. He then uses that information to woo them, and sometimes You can inadvertently send them messages that you wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't been stalking them. It's a TV show and it's unrealistic in many ways, but it's easy to talk to new people online. If you come across one, you should be careful about this kind of mistake.”
Trevor's Tips for Avoiding Online Stalkers
- Share as little personal information as possible online
- Make your account private
- Don't accept friend requests from people you don't know
- Block suspicious users as soon as they start sending questionable messages or accessing excessive social media content.