Hi guys,
I hope you’re well.
We’ve been asked a few times over the past few months what the term ‘doxxing’ means, so I wanted to explain it to you. Please see below, and as always, if you have any questions, comments, or feedback, just let us know. We are here to help 🙂
Doxxing, a term derived from “documents” or “docs,” is the act of publicly revealing someone’s personal information, such as their real name, home address, phone number, or workplace. This information is usually shared without consent and with malicious intent, often leading to harassment, threats, or even physical harm.
Some examples of doxxing:
- In 2014, actress and activist Felicia Day was doxxed after speaking out against online harassment during the Gamergate controversy. Her personal details were posted in the comments section of her blog, resulting in unwelcome attention and threats.
- In 2020, a group of teenagers doxxed and harassed an Oregon couple after mistakenly believing they were involved in a child abduction case. The couple was forced to flee their home due to the severity of the threats.
- In 2021, a popular Twitch streamer named Pokimane was doxxed during a live broadcast. A viewer managed to find her personal information, including her address, and posted it in the chat section of her stream. As a result, Pokimane had to take swift action to protect her privacy and ensure her safety.
- In 2022, an investigative journalist who exposed corruption in a major corporation was doxxed and targeted by online harassers. Personal information, such as the journalist’s home address and family members’ details, were shared on various online platforms. The journalist had to relocate their family and implement additional security measures to protect themselves from potential harm.
Protecting yourself from doxxing:
- Limit personal information shared online: Be cautious about what you share on social media and online forums. Avoid using your real name, sharing your home address, or posting identifiable photos.
- Use strong, unique passwords: Create strong and unique passwords for each of your online accounts, and use a password manager to help manage them securely.
- Enable privacy settings: Configure privacy settings on your social media accounts to limit who can see your personal information. Regularly review and update these settings.
- Be cautious with email: Avoid opening suspicious emails and never share sensitive information through email. Use email providers with strong security features.
- Monitor your online presence: Regularly search for your name and other personal details online to see what information is publicly accessible. Request removal of personal information from websites if necessary.
- Consider using a VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) can help protect your online activity by encrypting your data and hiding your IP address.
Remember, staying vigilant and proactive about your online privacy can significantly reduce the risk of doxxing. If you ever feel threatened or unsafe due to doxxing or online harassment, don’t hesitate to contact the authorities for help.
And, as always, let us know if we can do anything to help you.
You now know what Doxxing means 🙂
All the best,
Max