Cyberstalking: What You Need to Know and How to Protect Yourself

Recently, we received a message from a reader who found one of our older articles while researching ways to stay safe online. After a hiatus, we felt it was time to return to this space and re-engage with a topic that remains as urgent and relevant as ever.

This wasn’t just a message of concern. It was a reminder that digital threats are real and people are looking for guidance, clarity, and peace of mind. The good news is that there are steps you can take right now to safeguard your information and take back control of your online presence.

Whether you are trying to prevent cyberstalking or support someone going through it, here are practical steps and trusted resources you can turn to, wherever you are in the world.

What Is Cyberstalking?

Cyberstalking involves using digital tools, like email, social media, messaging apps, or tracking software, to harass, monitor, or threaten someone repeatedly.

This can include:

• Unwanted and repeated contact online

• Tracking location or behavior using spyware or GPS

• Hacking or accessing personal accounts without consent

• Threats of violence, blackmail, or exposure

• Impersonation, fake profiles, or doxxing (posting personal information)

It’s important to recognize that cyberstalking may escalate over time, and it can be linked to in-person harassment as well.

How to Improve Your Online Safety

These steps can help reduce your visibility online and make it harder for anyone to track or target you.

1. Secure Your Accounts

• Use strong, unique passwords for each platform.

• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.

• Avoid using login shortcuts like “Sign in with Google or Facebook.”

  
  

2. Review Your Privacy Settings

• Set social media accounts to private.

• Hide your friends list, story viewers, and tagged content.

• Avoid posting real-time locations or check-ins.

  
  

3. Monitor Your Digital Footprint

• Search your name and phone number online to see what’s public.

• Use services like DeleteMe, Optery, or PrivacyBee to remove your data from broker sites.

• Consider email-masking tools like Firefox Relay or SimpleLogin to avoid giving out your main address.

  
  

What to Do If You’re Being Targeted

If you're experiencing online harassment or stalking, here’s how to start protecting yourself and building a record.

• Document Everything - Keep copies of threatening messages, suspicious logins, call logs, and screenshots. Save them in a secure location or cloud drive. These can be important if you need to involve law enforcement.

• Block and Report - Block the user on all platforms. Use platform reporting tools to flag harassment or impersonation. Limit who can message you or see your content.

• Talk to Someone - This can be a friend, family member, therapist, or digital safety advocate. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

  
  

Who to Contact for Help

United States Resources

• Tech Safety / NNEDV

  Provides safety planning and tech advice for abuse survivors.

  https://www.techsafety.org

  
  
  
  

• Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI)

  Offers legal resources and emotional support for victims of image-based abuse.

  https://www.cybercivilrights.org

  
  

• Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

  Submit online crime reports to the FBI.

  https://www.ic3.gov

International Support Resources

Canada

• https://www.cybertip.ca – Report online exploitation

• https://crcvc.ca – Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime

United Kingdom

• https://www.suzylamplugh.org – National Stalking Helpline

• https://revengepornhelpline.org.uk – For image-based abuse and online blackmail

Australia

• https://www.esafety.gov.au – eSafety Commissioner site for reporting and education

European Union

• https://www.wave-network.org – WAVE Network for women’s support services across Europe

  
  

A Final Note

Cyberstalking isn’t just inconvenient—it can be frightening, isolating, and difficult to prove. But it’s also something that people can fight back against with the right tools, information, and support network.

If you are reading this and unsure where to begin, start small: secure your accounts, talk to someone you trust, and, when you’re ready, reach out to one of the organizations listed above.

Online safety is a right, not a privilege. Regardless of your background or level of technical expertise, you deserve to feel secure navigating the digital world. By raising awareness and sharing accessible resources, we hope to play a small part in making that a reality for everyone.

—The Cyber & Crime Files Team