Digital-Stalking

Cyberstalking: reduce your risk

Here are tips on how to stay safer online:

• Use a safe computer - many victims' computers have had snooping software installed. They should use a different computer from a friend or library until they can run an anti-spyware scan (anti-virus won't work)
• Mobile phone - nowadays it is easy to put spy software on a mobile. Look for any apps that may give away your location - maps, find your phone etc. Delete them. Better yet do a factory reset. 
• Email - get a new email address. Make it anonymous and don't use your real name or nickname an ex-partner would recognise.
• Delete ALL online accounts - The most important thing you can do is delete ALL existing accounts - you don't know which accounts your ex has access to. Create completely new, anonymous online social network, online shopping and website memberships using your new email.
• Passwords - Create completely new passwords. Abusers often get access to information because they know or guess a password. Don't use a security question - most ex's can guess them.
• Social Networks - Social networks are not secure and your friends can easily leak information that can help an abuser track you down. Don't use Facebook, it doesn't provide enough security- and is where the abuser will look first. Create an obscure name, use a fake photo and information. Only add your most trusted friends. Most of all make sure that you and your friends have put on the
  highest privacy settings.
• Friends and Family -Information about victims is often leaked to abusers accidentally by friends and family. Explain to friends, family and co-workers that you are at risk. Ask them to set their privacy settings to friends only. They should not to accept people they don't know on their social network and ask them not to post photos or messages about you online.
  
  

Last updated on November 18, 2011 by Jennifer Perry