Image: cyberpaths
Of all the deliberate offenses committed by certain elements on legitimate Internet users, cyberstalking is probably the most personal. The act has varying aspects connected to it. It can consist of harassing an individual or an organization in a way that will cause distress to the subject of harassment. Cyberstalking requires the use of electronic means, typically the Internet, to do the act although it is highly possible that it can be done in conjunction with offline stalking.
Cyberstalking can come in the form of constant monitoring of online activities, making threats or false accusations, unauthorized gathering of personal information which will be used for online harassment or embarrassment, solicitation of sex specifically of minors, and identity theft. The motivating factor of cyberstalking is to control the subject in whatever way possible. A cyberstalker can be a stranger or a known person although the latter can be more dangerous because of the possible access to more personal information. A stranger however, has the advantage of anonymity which can be quite unnerving to the subject of stalking.
Stalking is not a single action but rather a series of actions intended to achieve the desired goal. It is quite disruptive and invasive since a cyberstalked person cannot feel comfort even in one’s house since he or she knows that someone will be watching the moment he or she goes online. The effect can be such as to prevent someone from going online even at the expense of work and family communication.
Many celebrities are known to have their own cyberstalkers but ordinary people can go through the same thing when targeted by online stalkers. Women and children are the most vulnerable, although men have had their fair share.