How to Protect Your Family from Mobile Cyberstalkers

Cyberstalking is a 21^st century threat to families across the country.  Because of smartphones, cyberstalking is becoming a very serious issue.

If you’re unfamiliar with cyberstalking, the U.S. Department of Justice defines it as repeated harassing and threatening behavior using internet, email and other electronic communications devices.

While cyberstalking has been around for more than a decade, this threat has grown because of the rapid adoption of social networking and smartphone devices.

According to the Home Security Blog, cyberstalkers are now using smartphones and social media information to stalk and harass people with a new degree of sophistication.  Cyberstalkers can now use your phone’s GPS location information that you share online.

If you want to protect your family and friends from mobile cyberstalking, we recommend these tips.

1. Never Provide Address – Whether it’s for your social media profile, your phone or email, never publically broadcast your home address.  The less information people know about you, the better off you’ll be.
2. Never Share Passwords – Never give out your password to anyone.  It’s a good idea to use a password with a variation of letters, numbers and characters.  Also, password protect access to your cell phone or smartphone.
3. Turn Off Location Sharing Features – It’s a good idea to turn off location sharing features on social networks and smartphone apps.  It’s risky to publically share your exact location at a given time.
4. Never “Friend” or Communicate with a Stranger – Only become friends with people you actually know on social networks.  Also respond to suspicious emails with caution.
5. Do a Google Search – Type your name in Google to see what types of information appears online.  Try to remove any information that a stalker could easily use to find out your home location.

Following these tips will help to keep you safe from cyberstalkers.  To learn more how to protect yourself, read:

• Daily Tip: How to turn off Locations Services for iPhone, iPad

• Turn Off Location Services On Android Phones

• Turn off location aiding for BlackBerry Phones

For more great personal safety tips, be sure to read other post on the Hue & Cry Security Systems Blog and follow us on Facebook.