Cyberstalking is the term used when someone uses the Internet or other electronic means to stalk another person. Cyberstalking is defined as the use of information and communications technology, particularly the Internet to harass another individual, group of individuals, or organization.

 

All kinds of digital harassment

Just as with old-fashioned stalking, the behaviour includes false accusations, monitoring, threatening, identity theft, damage to data or equipment, the solicitation of minors for sexual purposes, and gathering information for harassment purposes.

 

Cyberstalkers meet or target their victims by using search engines, online forums, bulletin and discussion boards, chat rooms, and through online communities such as Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus and MySpace, a media outlet known for self-publishing. They may engage in live chat harassment or they may send electronic viruses and unsolicited e-mails.

 

Unknowing victims

Victims of cyberstalking might not know that they are being stalked. Cyberstalkers may research individuals to feed their obsessions and curiosity. On the other hand, the acts of cyberstalkers may become more intense, such as repeatedly instant messaging their targets.

 

More commonly they will post defamatory or derogatory statements about their stalking target on web pages, message boards and in guest books. In some cases, they have been known to create fake blogs in the name of the victim containing defamatory or pornographic material.

 

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