5 Ways to Protect Yourself from Doxxing

With increased online connectivity, doxxing has become a major threat. It involves a malicious leakage of an individual's personal information online. This could include the contact number, home address, or financial details. This breach of privacy could lead to serious harassment, identity theft, and worse. Suitable approaches can significantly reduce any chance of doxxing and safeguard your online presence. Here are five actionable ways to avoid falling victim to the doxxing effect.

1. Limit What You Share on Social Media

People often unwittingly share too much, from their location to intricate details about their jobs and contact information. Among the first things you can do is update your privacy settings. Make sure social network profiles are visible only to trusted connections, not the public. It is best not to share information that may reveal too much about your life. Malicious individuals can sometimes use simple and innocuous posts to piece together a profile on you.

2. Create Strong and Unique Passwords

Prevent hacking of your accounts by using strong passwords for all accounts. A good password combination includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Make them at least 12 characters in length. If passwords become challenging to manage, consider using a password manager. This tool can create and store complex passwords for you. 

Enable two-factor authentication also to add an extra step to the login process. This makes it more difficult for unauthorized users to access your accounts, even after obtaining your password.

3. Erase Your Digital Footprint

Many websites capture and store your personal information, making it easier for doxxers to find you. Minimize the risk by removing your personal data from the web. You can find tools online that help with account deletion on platforms you no longer need or use. With DeleteMe's guide on doxxing, you'll understand how to have your information removed from the site's databases. 

Regularly search for your name online to see what is available about you. If you find your personal data published on any sites, contact the wen admins and inform them that you want it removed. These proactive steps will make you less visible and deter malicious actors from accessing your information easily.

4. Keep Your Email and Phone Numbers Private

To protect yourself, use a specific email address or personal ID number for online sign-ups and public interactions. Use a secondary email address for sites that appear unsafe, or use a disposable phone number for forums, newsletters, or social media. Never post your email or phone number in open forums or comment sections. 

Cyber thieves and doxxers scrape these areas for contacts that they can use to harass or find more identifying information on you. Guarding this information is a major step in warding off attempts at doxxing.

5. Secure Your Internet Connection with a VPN

Your IP address can tell much more than you realize: it may give away your geographical location. VPN encrypts your connection to the web so that your information remains safe from prying eyes and your location is hidden.

When using a VPN, opt for a good service provider with powerful encryption and a no-logs policy, which means not saving your browsing data. Always turn on your VPN online, especially when accessing financial accounts or personal data. Update your VPN frequently to ensure the latest security patches and features.

Endnote

Doxxing inflicts major problems in cybersecurity, both at the corporate and personal levels. Keep yourselves on the right side by using the best online safety practices. From unbreakable passwords to clear digital footprints, you have several ways to keep doxxing at bay.