Signs of Cyber Stalking

Stalking, according to the State of California Penal Code 646.9, is “Any person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows or willfully and maliciously harasses another person and who makes a credible threat with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear for his or her safety, or the safety of his or her immediate family is guilty of the crime of stalking.” 

When stalking is brought into the digital world, this is cyberstalking.

Signs of Cyberstalking

• Unwanted Messages

Is your inbox flooded with messages from the same person? Cyber stalkers may contact a victim many times a day in an attempt to gather information, attention, receive a reaction, or to invoke feelings of intimidation in the victim. Cyberstalking does not require a high volume of unwanted messages, but it can be a direct sign of harassment.  

• A Stalker Regularly Showing Up Where You Are

Location tracking is a commonly used tool for everyday digital users to communicate with their community on their whereabouts. Online traveling blogs or tagging in live time during a night out with friends are common reasons to post with location tracking. Digital photos contain EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) Data. Often, location data and geotagging is stored in the EXIF. Sharing your location online may give a stalker access to your whereabouts or help them to track your daily routine. 

• Someone Knowing Too Much About Your Life

If someone reveals to you or a third party information about your life that is not common knowledge, this may be an indicator that a stalker has access to your digital information. 

• Gossiping 

If someone is actively attempting to damage your reputation by sharing information about your personal life, they may have access to online platforms where you share your personal information such as a Facebook page, Instagram account, blog, or online journal. 

• Threats or Intimidation

Have you received threatening messages, photos, or experienced defamation on one or more social media platforms?  Are these threats rooted in intimidation to invoke reasonable fear for your safety? If so, this is a sign of cyberstalking. 

Tracking stalker activity is critical for documenting patterns of behavior that can build towards filing an official complaint with law enforcement. To track stalking behavior, access the NCTCC Stalking Behavior Log and document the evidence, date, time, location (physical or virtual), description, witnesses, and reporting information for each incident. As always, if you are in immediate danger, dial 911. 

For more information on Stalking/Harassment Safety, download the NCTCC Victim Service Mobile Application at nctcc.org. 

To visit the Safety Section of the NCTCC App and get more information on Stalking/Harassment Safety, download the NCTCC Victim Service Mobile Application at nctcc.org/nctcc-app or search for “nctcc” in the Google Play or Apple Store.

Signs of Cyber Stalking