Kaspersky's recent study about online dating shows that every 6th user has been doxed while looking for a relationship

07/31/2021 10:17:23 AM

Kaspersky has revealed that almost half of the people in the Asia Pacific region have experienced privacy risks in relation to virtual matchmaking. 

This comes at the time wherein dating apps have become the most popular way to meet people. And with the advent of going rapid-paced digital in recent memory, the gathering and public exposure of personal data (also known as “doxing”) have become a major concern, especially for ones engaged in digitally-driven relationships.

The team from this global cybersecurity company has recently conducted a survey which exposed the main threats and fears that users faced while dating online. As a result, the company’s experts found that every 6th user has been doxed while dating online, globally. 

In the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, 22% of the respondents admitted experiencing this malicious act— with 14% of them were doxed while dating online but being unfamiliar with the notion of “doxing” and did not know they were doxed.

With the spread of social networks and dating apps, communication has become easier, faster, and much more convenient. Kaspersky’s research also founds out that more than half (64%) of respondents from the region admit that dating apps have made dating easier for them. However, 65% claim that they are concerned with potentially being stalked by someone they met online, which is one of the consequences of doxing. 

“Indeed, social media and various apps have made dating much easier for us. You might find the love of your life online but unfortunately, there are also bots and fraudsters looking for prey on dating platforms. That is why while communicating with someone online, it is still important to remember the basic rules of digital privacy,” said  Anna Larkina, a security expert at Kaspersky.

Oversharing personal information in dating apps and social networking sites is something that may possibly lead to bigger problems in the future because it leaves a vast trace of identifying information online, something that doxers can pick up and used to their advantage. These malicious users can access a target’s home address, place of work, name, phone number, etc. which increases the risks of transferring threats from the online world to the physical one as a result.

Kaspersky’s research also reveals more details on privacy threats APAC users face when dating online. Specifically, almost half (49%) of interviewees admit that while communicating online their partner shared screenshots of their conversation without their consent. This act usually has consequences like being threatened with personal information they found online, leaked their intimate photos, or stalked them in real life. 

Moreover, the most widespread problem is cyberstalking is that 19% of respondents admit that they have been stalked on social media by a person they did not match with.

“To date online safely, I recommend not sharing personal identifying information, such as your phone number, location, home, and work address, etc. Preventing threats at such an early stage will let you enjoy online dating without any fears,” added Larkina.

Visit Kaspersky's dating report to know more about how technologies can change dating and relationships. Also, check out the free Doxing: dangers and prevention course. Developed Kaspersky privacy experts together with Endtab.org., this program aims to help users learn about the ways users can be doxed and discover how to minimize the risk of having personal information stolen.

To keep your personal information protected, Kaspersky also recommends:

• Handling private online data responsibly by following the tips from Kaspersky's blog “Definitive Checklist: how to protect your data online” 
• Always checking permission settings on the apps you use, to minimize the likelihood of your data being shared or stored by third parties – and beyond – without your knowledge
• Using two-factor authentication. Remember that using an application that generates one-time codes is more secure than receiving the second factor via SMS. If you need additional security, invest in a hardware 2FA key
• Using a reliable security solution like Kaspersky Password Manager to generate and secure unique passwords for every account, and resist the temptation to reuse the same one over and over again
• Finding out if any of the passwords you use to access your online accounts have been compromised, by using a tool such as Kaspersky Security Cloud. Its Account Check feature allows users to inspect their accounts for potential data leaks. If a leak is detected, Kaspersky Security Cloud provides information about the categories of data that may be publicly accessible, so that the individual affected can take appropriate action
• Always consider how the content you share online might be interpreted and used by others

Author: slickmaster | © 2021 The SlickMaster's Files