05/17/2021 09:27:42 PM
Kaspersky and Endtab.org have recently staged a free online course that deals with digital hygiene and mindful communication – specifically, defend against doxing.
Doxing is defined by the global cybersecurity company as something that to vulnerable groups or people of specific professions, such as journalists, activists, or sex workers. Many people assume that their lives are not interesting enough for them to become victims of targeted online attacks. Yet, practice shows that this is not the case and people from all backgrounds can become victims of doxing.
A lot of reasons were cited for the act of doxing, such as including having fun online and not appreciating the harm they inflict, exacting justice (often mistakenly), revenge, jealousy, harassment, and even profit.
The reality, though, is that doxing is an act of gathering and revealing identifying information about someone online against their will. This threatening incident can happen once and disrupt a person’s life entirely, without them ever foreseeing it. Users are exposed online in numerous ways that are not limited to just social media presence. Exposure can also come from data leaks, fitness trackers sharing information to the public, official records, and private messages.
Doxing occurs in the era of humans putting the digital space safe and secure has become more important than ever; recognizing the importance of online privacy led to the growth of privacy-focused products in the process. Yet many people remain confused about what dangers the exposure of personal data may lead to the likes of doxing.
We leave a vast trace of our personal data, and this data can be picked up and used to doxers’ advantage. With that in mind, taking back control of users’ data and “owning their digital lives” becomes essential in ensuring people’s wellbeing. To achieve this, users need to develop positive digital habits and approach online activity mindfully. The course developed by Kaspersky and EndTab.org is aimed at helping with that.
Split into seven short lessons, the course lays out the basics for understanding the origins of doxing, the goals doxers pursue, ethical aspects of this practice, how to defend against it, and, most importantly, what to do if you or someone you know has been doxed. The first half of the course is already available online with the remaining lessons to be released in the following weeks.
“It’s no news that we live in a digital world, and just as in the real world, we need to develop good habits and follow rules that will help us navigate the space safely. We are bringing our expertise in cybersecurity and technology usage to provide users with the right knowledge and tools to help in this aim,” said Anna Larkina, Kaspersky’s privacy expert.
“Of course, doxing is not something that happens to people massively, however, we are never 100% secure from it. And sadly, our actions cannot guarantee that someone angry on the internet or in real life will not pick us as a victim - regardless of whether the ultimate goal is cyberbullying, extortion, maybe for fun, or even bringing what the doxer might see as a sense of justice. So, the best way to avoid trouble is to know what you are dealing with and I hope that our course will help users feel more empowered, while experiencing less digital stress, so they can enjoy technology worry-free,” added Larkina.
“It is also important to know how to not become a doxer yourself - by accident or on purpose. We need to understand why this practice is a dangerous one, and something that goes against ethical standards that we as society strive to follow.”
"While doxing may not be on everyone's radar, it should be. This is particularly true for parents. While anyone can be a target, this is a form of harm that shows up in cyberbullying and teen dating abuse situations. By being informed about the dangers of doxing, we can help keep ourselves and our children safer online,” adds Adam Dodge, CEO of Endtab.org
The online course is the first part of a series of tools that the Kaspersky team will release in an effort to enable users to sustain and enhance their digital wellbeing. Visit Kaspersky's education page to see them for free.
To know more about doxing and the issue of personal data sold on the darknet, read the Dox, steal, reveal. Where does your personal data end up? report.
Author: slickmaster | © 2021 The SlickMaster's Files
No comments:
Post a Comment
Feel free to make a comment as long as it is within the bounds of the issue, and as long as you do it with decency. Thanks!