Cyber harassment: Tips on how to protect yourself

Up to 64% of young adults in America have experienced cyberbullying, and 41% of US adults have experienced some form of online harassment. These numbers show how common the issue is. It’s time to take a closer look at online harassment and learn what you can do to protect yourself.

What is cyber harassment?

Similarly to cyberbullying, cyber harassment is a deliberate and persistent form of online aggression. Usually a precursor to cyberstalking, online harassment may have real-world repercussions. In some instances, perpetrators resort to malware or hiding GPS trackers in their victims’ cars, handbags, or children’s toys to follow their movements.

Type of cyber harassment

Let’s take a look at some of the most common cyber harassment examples and what you can do if you’ve been affected.

• Online sexual harassment
• Cyberstalking
• Doxxing
• Trolling
• Cyberbullying
• Outing
• Swatting
• Denigration

Dating apps, forums, and social media can become rife with sexual predators, especially those that let you send private messages. Reports confirm that 40% of women have experienced dating violence online, with dire consequences. For example, Amanda Todd, a Canadian 15-year-old, ended her life after two years of extortion from an online sexual predator.

Whether you’re receiving constant demands for intimate photos or someone is persistently objectifying you by leaving unwanted sexual comments, nip it in the bud before it escalates and turns into cyberstalking.

Tips on what to do:

• Report the harassment to the platform where it occurs and other authorities. Whether sexual harassment happens at school, at home, or work, you should never feel intimidated to report it.
• Document all instances of harassment, including screenshots and dates of when the harassment occurred.

Cyberstalking is the use of the internet or other digital means to stalk or harass an individual, group, or organization. This form of harassment may include monitoring someone’s online activities, sending threatening messages, or using technology to track their location. Victims may feel unsafe and anxious and experience a severe impact on their privacy and daily life.

Cyberstalking often escalates to real life, too. The recent TV show Baby Reindeer explores the disturbing real-life experience of comedian Richard Gadd. He faced a three-year nightmare, during which a cyberstalker bombarded him with 41,000 emails and numerous voicemails, and even infiltrated his personal life and started to target his friends and family.

Tips on what to do:

• Immediately report any instances of cyberstalking to local law enforcement and online platforms.
• Maintain detailed records of all interactions and evidence of stalking.
• Increase privacy settings on social media and other online accounts to limit the stalker’s access to personal information.

Doxxing is a revenge tactic where hackers infiltrate your device and collect your personal and private information to release it online publicly. It’s a type of online harassment designed to violate your sense of security and cause you to panic, lash out, or shut down. Doxxing can lead to harassment, identity theft, and physical danger for the victim.

Tips on what to do:

• Report the doxxing incident to the platform where the information was posted and request its removal. If you live in the EU or Argentina, the “right to be forgotten” lets you petition a search engine to remove search results about you.
• Change and secure your online passwords, and consider using two-factor authentication.
• Consider using tools that keep your information safe from hackers. The Nordlocker app lets you store sensitive files and photos in an encrypted online vault with a super-secure password.

Watch our video to understand doxxing even further:

Trolling involves posting provocative, offensive, or hateful comments online to provoke an emotional response or harass individuals. Trolls might post derogatory comments about someone’s appearance, beliefs, or race on social media platforms, forums, or comment sections. Victims can experience emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and even withdrawal from online and social activities.

Tips on what to do:

• Check if the platform has a policy for user comments and report hateful comments to have the trolls’ accounts removed.
• Consider creating or joining an online community that outnumbers the trolls, promoting positive and peaceful engagement.

Watch our video to identify trolling behaviors and learn effective methods to combat them:

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. It can occur through SMS, text, and apps or online in social media, forums, or gaming. Examples include spreading false information, sharing embarrassing photos or videos, and sending hurtful messages. Victims may suffer from low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.

Ryan Halligan, an autistic 13-year-old, faced severe cyberbullying when a girl he liked started to mock and harass him online. Eventually, a pen pal encouraged him to take his own life, leading to a tragic outcome.

Tips on what to do:

• Block and report the cyberbully on the platform where the bullying occurs.
• Save evidence of the cyberbullying on social media, such as screenshots of messages or posts.
• Talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, or school counselor, for support and advice.

In our video, you’ll find more information about cyberbullying and how to protect yourself:

Outing involves sharing someone’s private, sensitive, or embarrassing information or photos without consent. This type of harassment can include disclosing someone’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or other personal details. Victims may feel humiliated and violated and face significant emotional distress.

Tips on what to do:

• Report the incident to the platform where the outing occurred and request the removal of the content.
• Consider seeking legal advice if the outing has caused significant harm or distress.

If you thought online harassment couldn’t affect you in real life, think again. Swatting is a criminal harassment tactic that involves tricking an emergency service into sending armed personnel to a person’s address. This action is typically a prank, but it can be extremely dangerous and traumatic for the victim.

With false reports of a bomb threat or a murder or hostage situation, swatting can only be described as a life-destroying prank. It terrorizes victims, wastes thousands of tax dollars, risks lives, and causes entire families to undergo weeks of precautionary investigation.

In 2017, a police officer shot and killed a man in a swatting incident. The police were called to his house as a hoax for an argument over a $1.50 bet on a videogame. One swatter arranged for heroin to be delivered to a victim’s home right before response teams arrived – in an attempt to frame him for drug charges.

Tips on what to do:

• If you are a victim of swatting, cooperate with law enforcement and explain the situation immediately.
• Report the incident to local authorities and the online platforms where the threat originated. Swatting is a serious crime in most countries and can result in fines of up to $150,000 in the US.
• Never divulge personal information on gaming forums – they’re a hotbed for swatters, harassers, bullies, and hackers. Always avoid using screen names that make it easy for strangers to identify you through other channels, such as your social media.

Watch our video for more information on the dangers of swatting:

Denigration involves spreading false and malicious information about someone to damage their reputation or relationships. This type of harassment can include posting defamatory comments, creating fake profiles, or spreading rumors. Victims may suffer from damaged reputations, stress, and emotional distress.

Tips on what to do:

• Report the defamatory content to the platform where it was posted and request its removal.
• Keep records of all instances of denigration, including screenshots and URLs.
• Seek support from friends, family, or legal professionals to help address and counteract the false information.

What is the impact of cyber harassment?

Cyber harassment leaves a lasting impact that extends far beyond the digital space. Victims often suffer anxiety, depression, and reduced self-confidence due to relentless online attacks, which can harm their professional reputations and livelihoods.

The anonymity of the internet encourages perpetrators, making it challenging to hold them accountable. This global issue requires cooperation among lawmakers, technology companies, and communities to address effectively.

Educating people about digital safety and promoting responsible online behavior is crucial to creating a safer internet environment.

How to report online harassment

Never feel intimidated to report any form of harassment. It’s essential to break the cycle of abuse and protect yourself and others. Staying quiet about such incidents only empowers online predators to continue.

HR teams are trained to deal with these situations if you’re cyber-harassed at work. If you’re experiencing online harassment at school or university, report the incident to your mentors or law enforcement to press cyber harassment charges if you need to.

For those in Europe, resources are available through Europol’s reporting portal, where you can find specific reporting mechanisms for each EU member state. In the United States, you can visit the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to report any cybercrime, including cyber harassment.

When reporting online harassment, document all incidents with screenshots or saved messages to provide evidence of the behavior. This documentation strengthens your case and helps authorities or administrators understand the severity of the situation.

How to prevent cyber harassment

Preventing cyber harassment involves proactive steps to protect yourself and foster a safer online environment. Here are some tips:

• Strengthen privacy settings. Adjust privacy settings on social media and other online accounts to limit who can see your information and contact you.
• Be mindful of sharing personal information. Avoid sharing sensitive data online, such as your address, phone number, or financial information.
• Use strong, unique passwords. Create strong, unique passwords for your online accounts and change them regularly.
• Educate yourself and others. Stay informed about the latest online safety practices and share this knowledge with friends and loved ones. Prioritize online safety for kids by educating children about safe internet practices from an early age.
• Monitor your online presence. Regularly check your social media profiles and online mentions to ensure your information is secure and your reputation is intact.
• Report and block harassers. Immediately block and report anyone who engages in harassing behavior towards you online. In addition, learn how to block websites that support or encourage such behavior.
• Encourage positive online behavior. Promote kindness and respect in your online interactions, setting an example for others.
• Join supportive communities. There are also plenty of groups online to help you. Cybersmile offers support centers for victims of all kinds of online harassment, where you can exchange stories and tips and feel less alone.
• Use tools and filters. Utilize available tools and filters on platforms to automatically block offensive content and users.

NordVPN’s commitment

At NordVPN, we recognize the importance of fostering a safe and respectful online environment. We support anti-cyberbullying efforts by performing research, raising awareness, and offering tips for how to avoid and overcome cyberbullying. Our commitment extends to providing specific resources and guidance for vulnerable groups, including tailored advice on LGBTQ+ online safety and internet safety for teenagers. By advocating for digital privacy and security, we aim to empower individuals to protect themselves against cyber harassment and bullying.