What Is an Internet Stalker? How to Stop Cyberstalking & Get Legal Help

You’re not overreacting. If someone is flooding you with messages, tagging you in disturbing posts or threatening you online, you’re likely a victim of internet stalking. As a former domestic violence attorney who has taken abusers and stalkers to court, I know how frightening and violating it feels to be harassed, especially in today’s digital age. You may worry you’re powerless against a stalker, especially if they hide behind a mask of anonymity, but you have rights. By identifying red flags early, documenting each incident and knowing when to get legal help, you can protect yourself from an internet stalker.

In this article, I’ll walk you through how to identify online stalking, steps to secure your accounts and gather evidence, and ways a legal expert like myself can help you find justice and peace of mind. You don’t have to face this alone.

An internet stalker is someone who uses technology to repeatedly harass, threaten or intimidate a victim online, causing fear and distress. Also known as cyberstalking, this serious crime involves tactics like sending constant messages, posting personal information, hacking accounts and making false accusations. If you are being harassed by an internet stalker, you can take steps to identify the red flags, document evidence and work with a legal expert to stop the stalker and protect your rights.

What Is Considered Internet Stalking?

Internet stalking, also known as cyberstalking, is a pattern of online behavior intended to cause a victim fear or mental distress. Cyberstalking can take many forms but often involves:

• Sending constant messages, emails or texts, even after being asked to stop
• Tracking the victim’s online activity and using it to tailor threats
• Posting the victim’s personal information, like their address or phone number, online
• Hacking into the victim’s accounts or devices to monitor their activity
• Making false accusations or spreading rumors about the victim online

Internet stalking is not just “trolling” or harmless annoyance – it poses real safety risks to the victim. Most states have laws specifically criminalizing cyberstalking, and it can also fall under federal statutes prohibiting stalking, unauthorized access to digital devices and using technology to threaten.

What Are the Warning Signs of an Internet Stalker?

Internet stalking often progresses in intensity, with the perpetrator’s obsessive actions escalating over time. Early warning signs may seem innocuous, like frequent contact or monitoring your social media activity. However, if left unchecked, this behavior can quickly devolve into a nonstop barrage of threatening messages and dangerous invasions of privacy.

Red flags that you may be dealing with an internet stalker include:

• Excessive messages, comments or emails, even after you’ve asked them to stop contacting you
• Tagging you repeatedly in social media posts or using your name frequently in online forums
• “Coincidentally” showing up in spaces you frequent online, like chat rooms or gaming lobbies
• Monitoring and reacting to your posts, likes and online interactions
• Gathering and posting personal information about you, like your home address or details about your family members
• Doxing you by posting personal information without your consent
• Contacting your friends, family or colleagues to ask about you or spread false rumors
• Hacking into your accounts or devices to access your private texts, photos or financial information
• Sending threats of violence, blackmail or self-harm if you don’t comply with their demands
• Creating fake profiles pretending to be you or someone close to you in order to damage your reputation
• Encouraging others to join in harassing you by posting your information in hate forums

Trusting your instincts is crucial if someone’s online behavior toward you feels off or makes you afraid. Stalkers often try to pass off their actions as romantic interest, concern or harmless curiosity. However, cyberstalking poses real dangers to victims and is rooted in a desire to control the victim. It is unacceptable for someone to relentlessly pursue contact with you online against your wishes.

Another key pattern to recognize is that most internet stalkers are not strangers even if they are acting anonymously – they are people the victim knows personally. An ex-partner, disgruntled colleague or even a casual acquaintance may engage in acts of cyberstalking. Don’t downplay the seriousness of stalking behavior just because the perpetrator is familiar to you. If their actions are making you feel unsafe, it’s time to take steps to protect yourself.

What Kind of Evidence Should I Collect to Report Online Stalking?

If you suspect you are being stalked online, it’s essential to thoroughly document every incident. Detailed records of the stalker’s actions are crucial for reporting the crime to law enforcement and social media platforms and can greatly strengthen your case if you decide to pursue legal action.

Types of evidence to collect include:

• Screenshots of threatening or excessive messages, comments, and posts across all platforms. Make sure the screenshots include timestamps and identifying information, like usernames and URLs.
• Keep a record of all incidents and include how the interactions made you feel and why. Many states may require the victim to show evidence of mental distress or fear for physical safety.
• Contact logs showing the frequency and timing of unwanted attempts to reach you, such as repeated calls or emails.
• Records of the stalker’s attempts to gather your personal information or hack into your accounts, like password reset alerts or login notifications from unfamiliar devices.
• Witness statements from friends, family members, or colleagues who have observed the stalker’s behavior or been contacted by them.
• Copies of any police reports you’ve filed or responses you’ve received from platforms about the stalker’s actions.

Tips for Documenting Evidence

• To ensure your evidence is admissible in court, it’s important to preserve it properly. Start by creating a digital file where you can store all records of the stalking incidents. Regularly back up this file to a secure cloud storage service or external hard drive.
• If you are taking screenshots on your phone, transfer them to a computer as soon as possible to prevent losing them if your device is lost or damaged. When saving screenshots and other records, use a clear naming system that includes the date and a brief description (e.g., “2023-04-01_InstagramDM_JohnDoe”).
• Avoid altering or editing the evidence in any way, as this can undermine its credibility. Simply collect and save the original files, even if the content is disturbing. If the stalker sends you physical items, resist the urge to throw them away. Instead, place them in a sealed bag and keep them in a secure location.

It’s natural to want to delete upsetting messages or block the stalker to prevent further contact. However, it’s important to preserve as much evidence as possible before cutting off communication. If you do need to block the person for your own safety and well-being, take screenshots of their profile and any previous correspondence first.

How Can I Protect Myself from an Internet Stalker?

Unfortunately, the reality is that victims are too often charged with protecting themselves, their interests, and their rights. Below are several steps you can take to protect yourself from an internet stalker.

Step 1: Secure Your Accounts and Devices

• Enable two-factor authentication on all your online accounts
• Use strong, unique passwords for each account and change them regularly
• Check your privacy settings on social media and limit who can see your posts and personal information
• Be cautious about what personal details you share online, like your home address, phone number, email address or daily routine
• Install and update anti-virus software on all your devices to protect against hacking attempts

Step 2: Block and Report the Stalker

• Block the stalker’s accounts on all platforms where they have contacted you
• Report their behavior to the relevant social media or website administrators, including copies of your evidence
• If the stalker creates new accounts to circumvent blocking, document and report those as well
• Consider temporarily deactivating or privatizing your own accounts to limit the stalker’s access to your information

Step 3: Prioritize Your Safety and Well-Being

• Trust your instincts and take threats seriously, even if the stalker has not yet acted on them
• Vary your daily routine and routes to avoid being tracked or followed
• Consider staying with a friend or family member temporarily if you feel unsafe in your own home
• Seek support from a counselor or victim advocate to develop a safety plan

What Laws Protect Victims of Internet Stalking?

Stalking is a crime in all 50 states, and many have specific statutes addressing cyberstalking. These laws recognize the serious impact of stalking behavior and provide protection for victims.

While the exact language varies by jurisdiction, most anti-stalking laws define the crime as a pattern of conduct (i.e. more than one or two incidents) that:

• Is intended to frighten, intimidate, or harass the victim;
• Would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or suffer substantial emotional distress; and
• Serves no legitimate purpose

Criminal Charges

Common criminal charges for cyberstalking include:

• Stalking or harassment
• Terroristic threats
• Unlawful use of a computer or electronic device
• Invasion of privacy
• Identity theft

Depending on the severity of the behavior and the stalker’s criminal history, these charges can range from misdemeanors to felonies, carrying criminal penalties of fines and imprisonment.

Protective Orders

Regardless of whether or not a victim of internet stalking wants to press criminal charges against a person, victims of internet stalking may also have the option to pursue a civil stalking protective order against their stalker. These court orders, sometimes called restraining orders or no-contact orders, can prohibit the stalker from contacting or coming near the victim, their family members, and their property.

The requirements to obtain a protection order vary from state to state. But typically, a victim must file a petition with their local court and attend a hearing to present evidence of the stalking which is defined differently depending on the state you reside in. Generally speaking, a victim would have to show (1) a pattern of conduct (i.e., more than just one event) and (2) that has caused them mental distress or fear for their safety.

Although a victim petitions the civil courts for a protection order, violating a protective order is a criminal offense in itself, and can result in the stalker being arrested and facing additional charges. These orders can provide a crucial layer of legal protection for victims and help deter further stalking behavior.

Victims of internet stalking need to remember that they have the right to be free from harassment and intimidation, both online and off. If you are being stalked, don’t suffer in silence – reach out for help and explore your legal options to hold your stalker accountable.

How Can a Lawyer Help Stop an Internet Stalker?

Navigating the legal system can be daunting, especially when you are already dealing with the stress and trauma of being stalked. Working with an experienced attorney who understands the complexities of internet stalking can make all the difference in getting the protection and justice you deserve.

Identifying Your Stalker

If the person harassing you is using anonymous accounts or false identities, a skilled attorney can use legal tools, like subpoenas and court orders, to uncover their true identity and location. This information is crucial for filing police reports, securing protective orders, and pursuing criminal charges.

Collecting and Documenting Evidence

Your lawyer can also guide you through the process of documenting the stalking and preserving evidence that will be admissible in court. They can advise you on what types of records to keep, how to screenshot messages properly and how to maintain a detailed log of all incidents. With their expertise in evidence law, your attorney can ensure that you are building the strongest possible case against your stalker.

Serving As Your Advocate In Court

If you decide to pursue criminal charges, your lawyer can serve as your advocate with law enforcement and prosecutors. They can help you file a police report, follow up on the status of the investigation and push for appropriate charges. Having a legal expert on your side can alleviate the stress of navigating the criminal justice system and ensure that your voice is heard.

Obtaining a Protective Order Against Your Stalker

Your attorney can also assist you in obtaining a civil protective order against your stalker. They can draft the petition, gather supporting evidence and argue your case at the court hearing. With their knowledge of state laws and legal procedures, your lawyer can increase your chances of securing a comprehensive order that prohibits all forms of contact and protects your safety.

Maintaining Your Digital Privacy

Beyond these formal legal processes, your attorney can also help you strategize other ways to deter your stalker and maintain your online privacy. They may recommend sending a cease-and-desist letter demanding that the stalker stop all harassing behavior. Or they can explore alternative options for getting harassing content removed from websites and social media platforms if they have safety concerns about directly reaching out to the stalker. Your lawyer can also connect you with other professionals, like cybersecurity experts and reputation management consultants, to help you safeguard your digital footprint and mitigate the harm caused by the stalking.

Perhaps most importantly, your attorney can provide invaluable guidance throughout the legal process. They understand the toll that stalking can take on your mental health and well-being and can connect you with counseling and victim advocacy services to help you through your trauma. With their expertise and compassion, your lawyer can be a steadfast ally in your fight to reclaim your safety and peace of mind.

Protect Your Peace of Mind – Minc Law Can Help

Cyberstalking can leave you feeling frightened, overwhelmed, and unsure of where to turn. But you don’t have to suffer in silence. By learning to identify online stalking early, document every incident and enlist the help of a skilled lawyer, you can take back control from an internet stalker.

At Minc Law, we have extensive experience guiding victims through every step – from securing your technology to pursuing legal action. We understand the complex dynamics of cyberstalking and the devastating impact it can have on every aspect of your life. That’s why we are committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive legal support to help you navigate this difficult situation.

When you work with our team, you can expect:

• A free, confidential consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options
• A thorough assessment of your situation to identify all available civil and criminal remedies
• Skilled assistance in documenting the stalking and preserving admissible evidence
• Aggressive advocacy with law enforcement and prosecutors to hold your stalker accountable
• Experienced representation in obtaining protective orders and other legal safeguards
• Ongoing guidance in maintaining your online privacy and security

You deserve to feel safe online, and we are here to fight for your rights and peace of mind. If you are being stalked online, reach out to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. Together, we can develop a plan to stop the stalker, protect your privacy and help you move forward with confidence.