Cyber Stalking

Cyber-stalking

Cyber stalking is a crime in which the attacker harasses a victim using electronic communication, such as e-mail or instant messaging (IM), or messages posted to a Web site or a discussion group. A cyber stalker relies upon the anonymity afforded by the Internet to allow them to stalk their victim without being detected. Cyber stalking messages differ from ordinary spam in that a cyber-stalker targets a specific victim with often threatening messages, while the spammer targets a multitude of recipients with simply annoying messages. In the article it states that cyber stalking has been separated into three types, e-mail stalking, internet stalking and computer stalking. E-mail stalking can be used to purchase information from a person. Internet stalking allows for global communication through the internet for example Facebook, twitter, instagram or chat rooms. Computer stalking is unauthorized use of another individual’s personal computer.
Cyber stalking and stalking are similar and different in a number of ways. They are similar in that these crimes consist of a number of behaviors such as a pattern of harassment or threatening behavior. They center on a pattern of intrusive behaviors that are unwelcome and result in fear or anxiety in the victim. They differ when you focus on public acceptance of the crimes. Cyber stalking has a public dimension that is not found in stalking. A lack of public acceptance or agreement on what constitutes cyber stalking and the overall dangerousness of the behavior is more likely explained by public perception regarding romantic interests among the participants.
There are a number of simple ways to guard against cyber stalking. One of the most useful precautions is to stay anonymous yourself, rather than having an identifiable online presence: Use your primary e-mail account only for communicating with people you trust and set up an anonymous e-mail account, such as Yahoo or Hotmail, to use for all your...