From restricting access to personal data to being cautious about accepting friend requests, Cyber Dost — the cybersafety and cybersecurity awareness handle maintained by the ministry of home affairs has shared some important tips to help avoid such frauds. Here’s over to them:
1. Sharing your sensitive personal details such as address, phone number, Aadhaar number, photo, date of birth etc. on social media makes it easier for a stalker to misuse such details to harass you. It is advisable not to post such details on social media.
2. It is advisable to ensure that your personal information, photos and videos if posted on social media, are accessible only to your trusted ones. Select “privacy settings” on social media accordingly.
3. Be careful while accepting friend requests from strangers on social media. It could be a trap to cause harm later.
4. Do not trust online friends unless you know & can trust them in real life.
5. Cyber criminals often create fake social media profiles to befriend potential victims for obtaining their confidential or personal data or gain trust to cause harm in due course. Be careful of online friend requests you accept.
6. If you are a victim of cyberstalking; consult your parents, friends or relatives and file a complaint against the cyber stalker with the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal/ Police. Also save all communications with the stalker, as evidence.
