Doxxign is a severe issue threatening several people online and in real life. Read to know what it is, how it works, and how to protect yourself.
What is doxxing?
Doxxing or doxing, derived from the term “dropping documents’ means exposing private, sensitive information online. This format of online harassment involves publically exposing identifying data including someone’s real name, job, or address. Additionally, it can also refer to uncovering a real person with an anonymous username and exposing their identity online. This is in turn used by hackers to harass, get revenge or threaten others.
Moreover, it is important to note that this happens without the victim’s consent and can be aimed at bullying or humiliating the victim. Traditionally, doxxing began with online arguments. When things escalated it led to people digging up information on their adversary. However, recently this is a popular tool in culture wars where activists doxx those with an opposing viewpoint. This is a major problem as several journalists, politicians, and celebrities suffer from death threats and online mobs.
Doxxing: How does it work?
Over time, doxxers collect breadcrumbs of information about people which is scattered across the internet. They assemble these small pieces to reveal the real person behind an alias. These tiny pieces can include the target’s email address, vehicle number, phone number, address, etc. Doxxers can also sell or buy personal information on the dark web.
Doxxers use a range of methods to collect information about the people they are targetting. They can find your IP address and comb through the information shared in your social media profiles. Your IP address can be used to obtain information such as your full name, ISP account number, phone number, physical address, and social security number. Your social media is a gateway to your location, places you have visited or frequent, names of your pets, friends and family, and your viewing history among others. Hence it is important to have a private account or be mindful of the information you share.
Is it illegal?
While doxxing is not illegal, its legality is determined on a case-by-case basis. For example, combining or publishing information on people that is available in the public domain is not illegal. However, stalking, identity theft, incitement to violence, or harassment are among the crimes that can be charged. Moreover, some websites can have doxxing as a violation of their terms of service. For example, Twitter prohibits posting private information of others without consent. In recent days, governments across the world are starting to propose or pass anti-doxxign laws. In 2021, Kentucky and Hong Kong passed anti-doxxing laws.
How to protect yourself from doxxing?
Doxxing is tramatixing. To prevent it from happening to you, ensure very little information on you is publically available online. You can hide your IP address by using a VPN or proxy. Many apps and sites encourage you to use third-party logins such as Google, LinkedIn, and Facebook. However, don’t forget to change your passwords. Because if one of your accounts gets hacked, a hacker can use it you gain access to your personal information.
Additionally, use a pseudonym when you use online forums such as Reddit and Discord. Never use your real name or personally identifiable information on or handles. It goes without saying but doesn’t share your personal information with people you don’t know. Set up two or multifactor authentication to secure your login to social media profiles. This ensures the request of an SMS confirmation or codes on the authentication app in addition to your password when you log in from a different location or device. Moreover, you can also set up a google alert for your name. This way if any data that can be linked to you appear on the internet, you will be aware of it.
