Cyberstalking

In Cyber Stalking, a cyber criminal uses the internet to threaten somebody consistently. This crime is often done through email, social media, and other online mediums. Cyber Stalking can even occur in conjunction with the additional ancient type of stalking, wherever the bad person harasses the victim offline. There's no unified legal approach to cyber Stalking, however, several governments have moved toward creating these practices punishable by law. Social media, blogs, image-sharing sites, and lots of different ordinarily used online sharing activities offer cyber Stalkers a wealth of data that helps them arrange their harassment.

It includes actions like false accusations, fraud, information destruction, threats to life, and manipulation through threats of exposure. It has stalkers take the assistance of e-mails and other forms of message applications, messages announced to an online website or a discussion cluster, typically even social media to send unwanted messages and harass a specific person with unwanted attention. Cyber Stalking is typically cited as internet stalking, e-stalking, or online stalking. 

What is Cyberstalking?

Cyberstalking is the use of the internet or digital tools to repeatedly harass, threaten, or stalk someone. It includes sending unwanted messages, hacking accounts, or spreading lies online. The goal is often to scare or distress the victim. Cyberstalkers often use social media, email, or other online platforms. Cyberstalking involves using digital platforms to intimidate or control someone by continuously monitoring or harassing them online, they can track the victim's online activity.

Cyberstalkers may impersonate their victims, post false information, or make threatening comments. They often create multiple accounts to avoid detection and can track the victim’s location or personal activities using GPS or spyware. Cyberstalking can results into offline threats and is a serious situation of destruction of privacy which can often requires legal action to stop. Cyberstalking is harmful and illegal.

Some of the Examples of Cyberstalking are as follows

1. Repeated Unwanted Messages
2. False Profiles
3. Tracking Online Activity
4. Hacking Accounts
5. Posting Private Information
6. Threatening Comments
7. Monitoring via GPS or Spyware

Consequences of Cyberstalking

• Legal consequences can include fines, restraining orders, or sentence to imprisonment.
• Victims may experience anxiety, depression, and fear which can affects their mental health.
• Public harassment or false information can harm the victim's reputation causing reputational damage.
• Personal privacy is compromised, making the victim feel vulnerable.
• Financial costs may arise from legal fees, security measures, or identity theft.
• Fear of being targeted can lead to social withdrawal and isolation.
• Cyberstalking can also escalate to physical threats or harm.

Types of Cyber Stalking

• Webcam Hijacking: Internet stalkers would attempt to trick you into downloading and putting in a malware-infected file that may grant them access to your webcam. the method is therefore sneaky in that it’s probably you wouldn’t suspect anything strange.

• Observing location check-ins on social media: In case you're adding location check-ins to your Facebook posts, you're making it overly simple for an internet stalker to follow you by just looking through your social media profiles.

• Catfishing: Catfishing happens via social media sites, for example, Facebook, when internet stalkers make counterfeit user-profiles and approach their victims as a companion of a companions.

• Visiting virtually via Google Maps Street View: If a stalker discovers the victim's address, then it is not hard  to find the area, neighbourhood, and surroundings by using Street View. Tech-savvy stalkers don't need that too. 

• Installing Stalkerware: One more method which is increasing its popularity is the use of Stalkerware. It is a kind of software or spyware which keeps track of the location, enable access to text and browsing history, make an audio recording, etc. And an important thing is that it runs in the background without any knowledge to the victim.

• Looking at geotags to track location: Mostly digital pictures contain geotags which is having information like the time and location of the picture when shot in the form of metadata. Geotags comes in the EXIF format embedded into an image and is readable with the help of special apps.  In this way, the stalker keeps an eye on the victim and gets the information about their whereabouts.

How to Help Protect Yourself Against Cyberstalking

• Develop the habit of logging out of the PC when not in use.

• Remove any future events you're close to attending from the social networks if they're recorded on online approaching events and calendars.

• Set strong and distinctive passwords for your online accounts.

• Cyber Stalkers can exploit the low security of public Wi-Fi networks to snoop on your online activity. Therefore, avoid sending personal emails or sharing your sensitive info when connected to an unsecured public Wi-Fi.

• Make use of the privacy settings provided by the social networking sites and keep all info restricted to the nearest of friends.

• Do a daily search on the internet to search out what information is accessible regarding you for the public to check.

How to Report Cyberstalking

To report cyberstalking you must follow such steps:

• Document Evidence: Save screenshots, messages, emails, and URLs showing the harassment.
• Block and Report: Immediately block the stalker and report their behavior to the platform or service.
• Contact Authorities: Report the incident to local law enforcement or a cybercrime department and provide them all of the evidences.
• File a Complaint: Contact relevant cybercrime reporting agencies or hotlines, like the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or local equivalents.
• Inform Your ISP: Notify your internet service provider (ISP) about the cyberstalking.
• Seek Legal Advice: Consult a lawyer to understand your rights and potential legal actions for the help in the court of law.
• Get Support: Reach out to organizations or support groups for help and guidance.

Cyberstalking Laws

In India, cyberstalking and related offenses are covered by laws like the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Indian Penal Code. Here are key points:

• Identity Theft: It's illegal to impersonate someone online under Section 66C of the Information Technology Act.
• Obscene Material: Sharing or publishing obscene content online is prohibited by Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.
• Stalking: Section 354D of the Indian Penal Code deals with stalking, including online stalking where someone follows or monitors another person electronically.
• Insulting Modesty: Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code makes it illegal to insult a person's modesty, including online harassment.
• Threats: Sections 503 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code address criminal intimidation, including threats made online.

These laws provide legal protection against cyberstalking and allow victims to seek help and justice through legal channels in India.

Conclusion

Cyberstalking is a serious problem that can deeply affect targetted victims emotionally and invade their privacy. It involves ongoing harassment, threats, and monitoring online, which can sometimes lead to real-life danger. While dealing with cyberstalking, it requires people to be aware of it, stay vigilant, and take legal action if needed to protect themselves and their rights online. By educating people about the dangers of cyberstalking and promoting safer internet habits, we can prevent these incidents and make the online world safer for everyone.