Page 1 of 1: Stalkers beware- How to avoid being a victim!

Akil · Credits: 28164 My Scrapbook

THE MENACE OF STALKING

We have had talks about the 'credibility of online relations', 'safety of orkut' and have had lots of other talks including gadgets, software, tools, fast browsing, networks, desktops, laptops and even linux distros!

What I felt lacking is the absence of a thread in public on the menace of stalkers and how to deal with them or better still avoid being victimised.

Contributors, please read the next post which contains some pointers/suggestions in helping you post/opine on this topic of great importance recognised world wide but less often talked about in open!

For benefit of all users, I am planning to compile all replies in the first post of this thread below here, which will be updated as much as possible whenever there is a new reply (pertaining to the topic).

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# Current Summary of discussions as at 15:43 HRS IST on August 31, 2008 #
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No discussion compiled yet ...

Akil · Credits: 28164 My Scrapbook

GUIDELINES & SUGGESTIONS TO CONTRIBUTORS

On Contributing:

1. Suggestions/tips/ideas on how not to be a victim of stalking are welcome and encouraged.

2. If for any reason you do not wish to post in public, but wish to convey some opinion/suggestion, you can post the same via private message/private scrap/rxpg messenger to ME. All references/details will be removed except the relevant message required to be conveyed which will be posted in public after the sender's approval.

3. If you make a post and later make editions, please make sure you post the correction to me so I can make the necessary corrections in the first post.

4. When in doubt, think thrice and better still take opinion (from me or any trusted friend before posting the same in public).

5. If you know/recognised a profile of a stalker (meaning characteristics which you think could point to a stalker) please share it. This does NOT mean, anybody that matches that pattern SHOULD be a stalker but just that it could help us raise suspicion in ourselves.

6. Feel free to add to what others have posted/suggested. (read the 6th point of "WHAT TO AVOID")

What to AVOID:

1. While it is recommended to post the tips/suggestions, it is best to avoid references to any particular incident/person/id or anything. We are making an attempt to compile precautions and tips/suggestions for every potential user of the internet especially the users of RxPG and related sites to serve as a guide so they can avoid being a victim of a stalker.

2. We are trying to hang together against a common menace, so please do NOT hang separately or attempt to hang someone else (I mean let us not trouble another soul in this thread or in any other thread for that matter!)

3, If you KNOW of someone who was a victim of stalking in RxPG or ANYWHERE ELSE, PLEASE DO NOT POST ANYTHING THAT MIGHT IDENTIFY THE VICTIM IN ANY WAY. Advise them to approach RxPG_Team or moderators in private. Do NOT do anything without their knowledge/consent whatsoever, good you might have in mind! When in doubt, STOP, THINK, MAKE CHANGES and then PROCEED! If you are still in doubt, consult/post to me or with the concerned person himself/herself. VICTIMS SHOULD NOT BE VICTIMISED AGAIN WHATSOEVER THE REASON !

4. We are NOT taking census/survey of stalkers or the victims here. So avoid naming anybody for any reason as a stalker or as the victim ! Opinions are invited on the menace, accusations are NOT!

5. If you are a victim in RxPG being stalked/abused in anyway, you wish to complain, please do so to RxPG_Team ONLY and NOT HERE! This is NOT the right place to complain the issue which might need handling by appropriate people in authority only and it is best done in private and NOT in public!

6. Stick to giving suggestions and REFRAIN from contradicting others opinion already posted, either in public or in private.It is a discussion panel- like attempt and NOT a DEBATE platform!

Conclusion:

I am fully aware that discussion of such topics in public gives ample chance for stalkers to themselves visit and read about how we plan to safeguard ourselves.

But, a public discussion is the only way to spread awareness of this menace and I am sure being together in fighting this issue could make any stalker/problem maker feel vulnerable and avoid victimising another one!

I believe in what Lincoln said (or was it someone else that said this?)

"You can cheat some of the people, all the time, all of the people for some of the time, but not all of the people for all of the time!"

Let us strive to make ourselves safe and avoid yet-another-victim-of-stalking. Spread the message.

P.S: Please check for any updates/changes in this post pertaining to the guidelines which might be needed as the discussion proceed!

clueless · Credits: 22454 My Scrapbook

.... hmmmmm..

Akil · Credits: 28164 My Scrapbook

Stalkers do NOT operate in a single account. They use different accounts to scout for information. They gather information faking as different users usually to collect information on various aspects of the same person, usually.

So, while we assume ... we told X something, Y some other info and to Z another info. At last it might turn out that X and Y and Z are one and the same and they have got enough info already!

Moreover, they do NOT operate at a single point of time, The plan/trap is well laid and information gathering takes place for some time before they decide to strike and mostly they stalk using another new account ...

This modus operandi always but this is how a stalker operates mostly...

Suggestion:

Beware of what personal info you give to someone at the other end of the messenger etc; Phone numbers, personal information, family information etc; are too sensitive unless the person is verified or trust worthy beyond doubt.

Sharing real photos is another mistake that all do. Messengers having our photos as display pictures unwittingly give away what you didn't want to...

BGM · Credits: 106010 My Scrapbook

Good thread Akil.

The first thing everyone needs to realise while logging online is that, the internet is just like a Metro City.

If you venture into dark streets at night, you will get mugged. The same happens online also. Its very easy get a stalker on your tail in net. Many new comers feel internet (especially social networking) is full of sunshine and rainbows. Its isn't.
Exercise the same caution as we do in the real world. And we all need to keep a thought in our minds while we are online, This is a 'Virtual world' This ain't real.

Invest more time in the real world. Go to disco or a mall with your friends instead of spending hours tweaking your orkut profile. Call your best friend instead of spending hours on the ya ho o messenger talking to some one in Uganda. Go to a marriage or party and get acquainted with new people instead of searching for that 'special person' in internet. The virtual world will never be a replacement to the real world. Always keep that in mind and you will never earn a stalker.
(P.S: I am keeping this post of mine free from any Tech aspects of the same subject since i have already bored most of you with those in many other threads :) )

Dr_Akil · Credits: 768 My Scrapbook

BGM, thanks for your input. (it is the same Akil who started the thread by the way...)

Though the guidelines seem to point to just online stalking and I too started first with it (for reasons because online is the place stalkers now a days start with to hunt and find potential victims!!!). But in reality the menace is as severe in real life too ... so we could talk and discuss about online as well as offline stalking menace!

And one sad thing about stalkers... Apart from abusers and perverts who stalk unknown strangers, unfortunately stalkers are those whom we know or atleast have met in real life!

Let us see what others have to say... surprisingly there are not many views in here. Is it everybody wants to just turn a blind eye to the fact that such a menace exists ? or.. is it that they are just hesitant to opine ?

It is time that will answer ....

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