Tekblog

Recently, While watching the twitter public_timeline (TPT), I managed to get myself tangled up in an uncomfortable situation online.  While on the TPT I came across an alleged hacktivist, became overly curious, and followed up by conducting private research to better understand the intentions behind his or her hacktivism activities.

It wasn’t long before I began to notice discrepancies in the hacktivist’s focused cyber attacks. While conversing with this particular hacktivist I also drew some curious head shakes from security experts who allegedly had connections with the US government (AC).

In a nutshell, I managed to upset both the hacktivist and the AC’s! All of this online drama came about because I unintentionally set myself up for such a situation to occur.  Some of you may be wondering why I even bothered to pursue following and questioning such a controversial profile.

For as long as I can remember I’ve always been inherently curious. I was one of those kids who would find Santa’s hidden stash and secretly unwrap everyone’s Christmas gifts, then re-wrap all of the gifts back to perfection. Perhaps I was checking gift equality or I was just a nosy kid. Whatever the reason behind such invasive curiosity, this curiosity beast is one that I have to fend off and suppress on a consistent basis!

This type of curiosity could have easily become a Teksquisite reputation downfall. I could have been targeted both by the hacktivist and by government investigations. Though I did receive some direct communications via messaging and phone regarding statements I made about the hacktivist on twitter, I was not aware until much later in the game (by other concerned security
professionals) that this was a situation that I should graciously remove myself from.

“Harassment comes in many different forms and is not limited to physical or verbal abuse. Harassment can occur in any media or forum in which individuals interact.” –The Free Library

3 important steps to extricate yourself from situational cyberharassment

1. NEVER respond to flames.
2. NEVER confront the individual(s) with evidence or accusations
3. Remove yourself immediately from all hostile situations

The above steps should sever any type of online harassment situation almost immediately.  Although there may be some negative fallout from my particular situation, I anticipate that the steps I have taken above will successfully eliminate the possibility that cyberharassment will continue to exist.

If the above steps do not resolve a cyberharassment situation, you may be looking at the more serious case of cyberstalking.

“Cyberstalking and cyberharassment are very similar. Most people use them interchangeably, but there is a subtle distinction, typically relating to the perpetrator’s intent and the original motivation for their behavior.”

“While the two situations usually involve many of the same online tactics, cyberstalking is almost always characterized by the stalker relentlessly pursuing his\her victim online and is much more likely to include some form of offline attack, as well. This offline aspect makes it a more serious situation as it can easily lead to dangerous physical contact, if the victim’s location is known.” –Wiredsafety

In the past I have voluntarily worked with both Wiredsafety.org as an Internet Security Specialist and HaltAbuse.org as an Internet Security Advocate. Both organizations offer extensive help to victims of cyberstalking. If you are involved in an online situation that has escalated beyond the status of cyberharassment, be sure to contact one of the organizations listed above for further information on how to protect yourself online.

Until next time – stay safe online!