Cyber Stalking

To use the Internet or other electronic means to stalk or harass an individual, group or organization is known as Cyber Stalking. It may include false accusations, defamation, slander and libel. It may also include monitoring, identity theft, threats, vandalism, solicitation for sex or gathering information that may be used to threaten, embarrass or harass. Cyber stalking is often accompanied by real-time or offline stalking. Both are motivated by a desire to control, intimidate or influence a victim. A stalker may be an online stranger or a person whom the target knows; he may be anonymous and solicit involvement of other people online who do not even know the target.
Cyber stalking is a criminal offense under various state anti-stalking, slander and harassment laws. A conviction can result in a restraining order, probation, or criminal penalties against the assailant, including jail. Cyber stalking is a technologically-based “attack” on one person who has been targeted specifically for that attack for reasons of anger, revenge or control. Cyber stalking can take many forms, including:

1. Harassment, embarrassment and humiliation of the victim
2. Emptying bank accounts or other economic control such as ruining the victim’s credit score
3. Harassing family, friends and employers to isolate the victim
4. Scare tactics to instill fear and more

Types of such Cyber Stalking are:
1. Stalking by strangers
2. Gender based Stalking
3. On intimate partners
4. Of celebrity’s & public persons
5. By anonymous online mobs
6. Corporate cyber stalking