Raising Digitally Responsible Youth

Doxing

Doxing (or ‘Doxxing’) is most commonly known in associa�on with video games that have online mul�player capabili�es but has also become popularized among other subcultures of the internet such as forums, live streaming sites, and mainstream social media. It’s important to be aware of doxing when using any form of the internet and understand how it can be prevented. Doxing is a form of online abuse where iden�fying or sensi�ve informa�on of an individual is released online with malicious intent. Typically, informa�on such as one’s first and last name, home and/or work address, family members, or even banking informa�on is revealed to the internet in an atempt to in�midate the vic�m or even subject them to dangerous and vulnerable posi�ons both online and in the real world. Mo�va�ons of doxing can include personal, compe��ve, or poli�cal reasons. Doxing does not discriminate and web users of all ages, genders, and internet experiences can be targeted. Doxing is also one of the few forms of cyberatacks that can cause direct, serious, and las�ng harm to its vic�ms. Searching and obtaining an individual’s publicly available informa�on and re - pos�ng it online is not technically considered a cybercrime or atack, however, doxing can become illegal if this publicly available or private informa�on is obtained through illegal methods such as hacking or extor�on. Other factors that may cause doxing to cross the line into illegality are harassing or in�mida�ng the vic�m, invading their privacy, or having the vic�m assaulted. In order to avoid having your informa�on or your child’s informa�on doxed, it’s important to follow a few best prac�ces for using the internet, including any video games that your child may be playing: • Don’t use legal or iden�fying first, middle, or last names as usernames. • Don’t post photos/videos of the interior/exterior of your home that may include iden�fiers such as your address, where your doors/windows/bedrooms are located within the property, license plates, mail, or locks. • Don’t post photos or videos with any iden�fying factors to your child’s school such as the school name, class schedules, or classmate’s faces that have not given permission for their photo/video to be shared; this includes online learning. • If you are going to leave your home for an extended period of �me such as a vaca�on, be cau�ous about who you share this informa�on with including the dates that no one will be home. • Don’t list the day, month, or year of a birthday publicly. • Don’t post photos/ videos of your computer screens, desk sta�ons, or any other personal area where you may expose sensi�ve informa�on such as mail, email, bank statements, contracts, or personal photos/videos. • Be cau�ous of iden�fying factors to the clothing you wear in photos/videos you choose to share such as school hoodies or uniforms, work uniforms, a�er - school programs, or local causes. • Always set accounts to private when possible in order to control whom you are allowing to view your photos/videos, views, and other informa�on you choose to share online. If you feel you or your child have been doxed, be sure to document the evidence and report the doxing to the pla�orms they happened on, as well as the appropriate authori�es for cybercrimes in your area. If you need assistance with this, please reach out to info@saferschoolstogether.com .

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