6.24.2008

Cyberstalkers: The Slime on the Web

Is there anyone who thinks that cyberstalking is NOT creepy, obsessive, bizarre behavior?
What would you think of someone who has admittedly cyberstalked someone for years, flushed out every site they post on, knows all of their different screen names, and reads every tidbit their victim posts anywhere on the net?
I can't help but wonder, don't these people have better things to do?
I wondered what other opinions were on cyberstalking, and I found some interesting info online.

At flayme.com, there's a page on cyberstalking. Among other things, he says:
"Not invariably, but usually, stalkers are none too bright; as JR would say, "The Elevator Don't Reach the Top Floor" - few intelligent people would go down the road to stalksville. Some, of course, are severely mentally ill. If you suspect that, then do not engage the stalker in any kind of dialog - just keep careful records and make appropriate reports."
Now, this guy also advises getting back at the stalker, which I think is just a waste of time and stooping down to the stalker level. Not to mention dangerous in some situations.


This site
says:
"The last type of stalker is the vengeful stalker. They get angry at their victim due to some slight either real or imagined. We have all heard of disgruntled employees, these are vengeful stalkers and can be just as dangerous as the delusional. They stalk to get even and believe that "they" have been victimized. Ex-spouses can turn into this type of stalker and violence is all too common a result."

From good old Wikipedia:
"CyberAngels has written about how to identify cyberstalking:
When identifying cyberstalking "in the field," and particularly when considering whether to report it to any kind of legal authority, the following features or combination of features can be considered to characterize a true stalking situation: malice, premeditation, repetition, distress, obsession, vendetta, no legitimate purpose, personally directed, disregarded warnings to stop, harassment, and threats."


I doubt that many people take it that seriously. But in my opinion, it is a serious matter. It is not normal to repeatedly hunt people down via the internet for a period of years and watch their every move, read every detail of their life, and then brood on it for years.
It's sad that we have to watch our every move on the net if we suspect someone is cyberstalking us. There are only so many things that can be made private. And just because you leave out names and try to be vague on details, don't think you can't be found. You can. If the stalker is determined enough, they will find you.
If you're cyberstalking someone......seriously, please stop. If you do it at work....find more work to do. If you do it at home...go play with your kid. Your husband. Your dog. Someone, something. It's unhealthy and obsessive behavior.
Seriously...who is that interesting that they should be cyberstalked? I didn't think I was, but apparently, I was wrong.

To my readers: what would YOU do if you knew someone had been stalking you for years?


**sidenote** This is the last post I intend to post on this matter. I just think that people need to realize that cyberstalking is sick, obsessive behavior and out of the realm of normal, and that they really, really, need to STOP.

15 comments:

anymommy said...

Ugh. Scary. I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. I hope he/she listens!

Beth from the Funny Farm said...

Weird! Just weird that someone would do this.

Anonymous said...

im so sorry that this is something you have to deal with.

Far From Perfect said...

too creepy, but I believe it. I know others who have stopped blogging because of something like this.

GypsiAdventure said...

Yes, cyberstalking is a pretty heinous thing to do to someone, but just like you said "if they want to know they will find a way." I watched the untraceable movie and was thoroughly creeped out by it - despite all I know about computers and their uses, I am constantly amazed at what people do (or try to do).
Good post!

Have a great day!
~K

Maude Lynn said...

I haven't experienced cyberstalking, but I have experienced stalking in real life. It was a truly terrifying experience.

Momo Fali said...

I was stalked in real life. Threatened, followed and harrassed. I had enough tapes and letters to press charges, and I'm good at collecting evidence. I wouldn't hesitate to follow through in the same manner with a cyberstalker. Freaks.

Gen said...

Um, yeah. Amen. Wish my cyberstalker would read it. I'm afraid it wouldn't do any good, though.

Momisodes said...

I'm terrified of this. I've been stalked before, outside of the internet, and it was quite unnerving. I agree. Cyberstalking is NOT healthy behavior at all.

Unknown said...

sorry this has happened to you. that rots. i have known other bloggers who have gone private because of something/someone who creeped them out over and over. best to you, kathleen

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

I know this doesn't compare to being stalked in real life, I can't even imagine how terrifying that would be.
Groovy Mom, I KNOW my stalker will read that post, but I also know it won't do any good.
Kathleen, I have considered going private, but it pisses me off that I have to think about doing that. I have another blog for family that is private, but I didn't want this one to be private. It sucks that other people can intrude on other's lives in this way.

Heather said...

I guess to me it would matter the extent to which I was being stalked. I have a handful of lurkers who go thru my archives on a regular basis, never post, and keep coming back. But that is the only place I "see" them - they don't track me down on facebook, and other places, so that doesn't bug me so much.

(hugs) this can't be easy!

LunaNik said...

Figure out how to hack into her computer, steal her personal info (ss#, dob, etc.) and then open multiple accounts under her name to every porn site you can find.

Tara R. said...

I'm so sorry this is happening to you. But, really whoever it is, should definitely get a different hobby. That is just plain weird.

Anonymous said...

Cyberstalking I had to deal with on a very small level. Once I let the person know I can see their IP address they stopped.

I am really sorry you are dealing with this.