What Is Doxxing and How Do I Prevent It?
As our lives become more connected, the concept of privacy has become much more complicated. One disturbing trend that has emerged is doxxing, a malicious act that involves publicly revealing someone's private information without their consent. This article explains the nature of doxxing, its harmful effects, notable cases, and proactive measures to prevent doxxing and safeguard personal information.
What is doxxing?
Doxxing is when someone shares another person’s personal information online without their consent. This can include things like their full name, home address, job, Social Security number, and more. The term started in the 1990s among hackers who would reveal their rivals’ private data. At first, it only applied to anonymous users, but now it can affect anyone—public or private.
Doxxing can range from harmless pranks to serious harassment. It has targeted celebrities, politicians, journalists, and company leaders, sometimes leading to cyber abuse, safety fears, and even death threats.
People may doxx others to get revenge, expose hidden truths, or punish those with different opinions. But no matter the reason, doxxing is a major violation of privacy. It can cause real harm and put people in stressful or dangerous situations.
How do hackers get access to personal information?
Hackers use various methods to gain access to personal information to dox.
- Search engines. The most basic way doxers find your personal information is through search engines like Google and Bing, which track information about their users. They can use what they find as a lead to search social media accounts and other sites for even more information.
- Tracking usernames. Many people use the same username across multiple platforms, allowing doxers to then piece together information about their interests and online activities.
- WHOIS searches. Hackers can use domain WHOIS searches access the publicly available information of the domain owner, including personal details like name, address, phone number, and email address.
- Phishing. Hackers can exploit insecure email accounts or use phishing scams to trick you into revealing sensitive information, which they can use to dox.
- Social media cyberstalking. Publicly available social media accounts provide a wealth of information for doxers, including location, workplace, relationships, and personal preferences. Once found, hackers can use this data to deduce security question answers and potentially access other online accounts.
Information is easy to get on the Internet, even if you're a generally private person. Therefore, online users need to be careful about what data they give to websites and forums, as that information could come back up later.
How to prevent doxxing and protect your personal information
Luckily, there are some effective practices you can use to protect yourself online. Note that these are general practices that will help you stay safe from many online threats, not just doxxing; you can use them even if you don't feel like you need to prevent doxxing.
- Limit your online presence. Minimize the amount of personal information available on public platforms. Be cautious about sharing sensitive details and adjust privacy settings on social media platforms to restrict access.
- Be smart online. Use unique, strong passwords for all accounts and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. Additionally, regularly update software and be aware of phishing attempts. If you have trouble remembering your passwords, use a password manager.
- Educate yourself. Stay informed about online privacy best practices, new threats, and the latest security tools. This knowledge allows you to make informed decisions and recognize possible risks.
- Monitor your online presence. Regularly search for your name, email address, and other personal information to identify any leaked data. Once found, take immediate action to remove or mitigate its impact.
- Think before you click. Be wary of suspicious emails, links, or attachments, as they could be attempts to gather your personal information. Avoid clicking on unfamiliar or unexpected links and double-check the legitimacy of emails before sharing any personal details.
What to do if you've been doxxed
You can't always prevent doxxing. If you've been doxxed and your personal information has been exposed online, If you've been doxxed on social media platforms like Facebook, Reddit, or X (formerly Twitter), here are some steps you can take:
- Report the content. Use the platform’s tools to report any posts or comments that share your personal information.
- Follow the reporting steps. Each platform has a process to follow. Be sure to complete all the steps so your report is properly reviewed.
- Adjust your privacy settings. Tighten your privacy controls to limit who can see your personal details and posts.
- Contact support. If reporting doesn’t solve the issue, reach out to the platform’s support team directly for help.
Keep in mind that policies and tools change, so check each platform’s latest guidelines. If the doxxing has put you in danger or caused serious harm, contact local law enforcement or a legal professional right away.
Famous doxxing cases
Several high-profile cases have highlighted the terrible effects of doxxing. Some notable incidents include:
GamerGate
In 2014, a controversy involving a game developer led to the start of Gamergate. While some supporters claimed it was about protecting journalistic integrity, many saw it as a campaign of harassment, especially toward women in the gaming world. No matter the original goal, the movement quickly turned harmful. People were doxxed, targeted with threats, and faced organized smear campaigns, all of which caused serious online harassment.
Ashley Madison data breach
In 2015, a dating website for extramarital affairs was hacked, and the private data of millions of users was leaked. The breach led to widespread doxxing, as people’s names and personal details were made public. As a result, many faced broken relationships, damaged reputations, and serious personal fallout from having their private lives exposed.
Karima Brown
In South Africa in 2019, journalist Karima Brown accidentally posted a public message on X (formerly Twitter) that was meant to be private. The message included details about an upcoming interview. A member of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) then shared a screenshot of it, revealing Brown’s personal phone number. This led to a wave of harassment and threats against her.
Impacts of doxxing
Doxxing can have serious effects on a person’s mental and physical well-being. Victims often face constant harassment, including threatening messages, phone calls, or even the risk of real-world harm. The personal information shared is used to scare, shame, or control them.
When doxxers reveal someone’s home or workplace, it can lead to stalking and direct harassment. This puts victims under intense stress, leading to anxiety, depression, and fear for their safety.
Doxxing can also expose things like usernames and passwords. If this happens, criminals may use the information to steal identities, open fake accounts, or take money through unauthorized transactions.
Is doxxing illegal?
Whether doxxing is illegal depends on where you live and how local laws are enforced.
In the United States, laws vary by state. For example, Nevada bans doxxing and allows victims to sue. In California, doxxing that leads to harm is considered a misdemeanor. It can lead to up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.
Because laws differ, it’s important to check the rules in your area. The way doxxing is handled by the courts can also change over time.
Doxxing is a serious attack on privacy. It can cause mental stress, physical danger, and financial loss. The best way to stay safe is to understand what doxxing is, learn how it can hurt you, and take steps to protect your personal information.
