You’ve probably heard about people being “doxed” online, but you might not know exactly what it means or how it could affect you. While it may sound like something that happens only to celebrities or internet influencers, the truth is that it can happen to anyone.
Let’s talk about what doxing is, how it can spiral into real-life problems, and what you can do to protect yourself.
What Is Doxing?
Doxing (short for “dropping documents”) is when someone gathers and publishes your private information online without your permission. This could be your full name, home address, phone number, email, or even your workplace.
Sometimes, the information is dug up from things you posted years ago. At other times, it’s compiled from public records, social media, or data brokers. Once that information is out there, it’s very hard to take back.
What Can Happen If You’re Doxed
It’s easy to brush this off if it hasn’t happened to you. But the reality can be frightening, even dangerous.
Blackmail and Harassment
Some people use doxing as a tool for blackmail. For example, a well-known female Twitch streamer was doxed and then blackmailed by someone who demanded sexual favors, threatening to release her home address and other personal details if she didn’t comply. Sadly, stories such as this aren’t rare.
Becoming a Target
Maybe you left a negative review for a business, or maybe you voiced an opinion online that upset a group of people. There have been cases where journalists were doxed simply for covering a political side. The result? People from the opposing side showed up at their homes.
Once someone has your address, you might suddenly become the target of unwanted attention.
Swatting
Swatting is when someone falsely reports a serious emergency at your address, such as a hostage situation. The police respond quickly and with force. People have been injured or worse because of this kind of attack. All because someone had access to their personal information.
Smaller Harassments
Sometimes it’s not as dramatic but still disturbing: random food deliveries to your home, packages you didn’t order, or phone calls or messages that don’t stop.
Then there’s the truly unsettling stuff, such as strangers messaging you with “I know where you live” or sneaking around your property.
What You Can Do About It
The good news is that there are simple steps you can take to make it harder for someone to dig up your personal information.
Be Mindful of What You Share
Start by being more careful about what you post online. Check the background of your photos. Is your house number showing? Is there a landmark or a street sign?
Use a P.O. Box
When signing up for websites or mailing lists, consider using a P.O. Box instead of your home address. It’s a small expense that adds a big layer of protection. In an era where big data leaks from the services you use are an almost daily occurrence, this is a simple yet effective step to help keep your actual address out of harm’s way.
Tighten Your Facebook Privacy
Facebook is a goldmine for doxers. Go through your privacy settings. Who can see your posts? Is your phone number public? Are you sharing your workplace or school with others?
A quick check can stop a lot of unnecessary exposure.
Search Yourself
It might feel odd, but try Googling your name; you might be surprised by what comes up. Some websites collect and publish people’s information, whether they like it or not.
Many of these sites offer forms that allow you to request the removal of your data. It’s not always instant, and sometimes you’ll need to go through multiple sites, but it can be done.
Ask for Help
Once personal information is out there, it’s hard to pull it back, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do. We can help you secure your Facebook privacy settings, enhance your computer’s security, and provide support with general safety advice and parental controls.
If you have questions or need help with your computer setup, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to help where we can or point you toward the right tools.