🚨

If you are being monitored online or feel unsafe

Use the quick exit button, clear your browser history, or switch to a private window.

Digital Safety & Privacy

Protect yourself from online harassment, stalking, and abuse. Learn how to secure your accounts, devices, and personal information.

🔒 Your privacy is our priority. This page gives you practical, non‑technical steps to stay safe online. All advice is based on guidance from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), RAINN, and the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative.

No tracking. No judgment. We do not store any information you enter on this page.

🔑 Passwords📱 Two‑Factor Auth🎣 Phishing👥 Social Media📸 Image‑Based Abuse📢 Reporting

Strong Passwords & Password Managers

✅ Do:

  • Use a unique password for every account.
  • Make passwords long (12+ characters) – a phrase like “Blue-Coffee-Dance-92” is strong.
  • Use a password manager (e.g., Bitwarden, 1Password, KeePassXC) – you only need to remember one master password.
  • Enable two‑factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.

❌ Avoid:

  • Using the same password on multiple sites.
  • Personal information (birthdays, pet names, “password123”).
  • Writing passwords on sticky notes near your computer.
  • Sharing passwords via text or unencrypted email.

🔗 Resource: Have I Been Pwned – check if your email or password has been exposed in a data breach.

Two‑Factor Authentication (2FA)

2FA adds a second layer of security. Even if someone steals your password, they cannot log in without the second factor.

SMS codes
Less secure (SIM swapping risk), but better than nothing.
Authenticator apps
Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Authy – more secure.
Security keys
YubiKey – most secure, resists phishing.

📌 Always save backup codes when you set up 2FA. Store them in a safe place (not on your phone).

Phishing & Scams

Phishing is when someone pretends to be a trusted company or person to steal your login details, financial information, or install malware.

🚩 Red flags:

  • Urgent language (“Your account will be closed!”).
  • Generic greetings (“Dear customer”).
  • Links that look strange (e.g., amaz0n-security.com).
  • Requests for passwords or credit card numbers by email or SMS.

✅ What to do:

  • Never click links in unsolicited messages – go directly to the website by typing the address.
  • Check the sender’s email address carefully.
  • Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk (UK) or reportphishing@apwg.org (global).
  • If you think you’ve been phished, change your password immediately and enable 2FA.

Social Media Privacy

🔒 Privacy settings to check:

  • Who can see your posts, friend list, and contact info? Set to “Friends only” or “Only me”.
  • Disable location tagging on posts.
  • Review apps connected to your account – remove any you don’t use.
  • Turn off search engine indexing of your profile.

🚸 Sharing personal information:

  • Avoid posting your address, phone number, or real‑time location.
  • Be careful with photos of children, school names, or workplace.
  • Think before posting: could this be used to harm or harass you later?

📸 “Revenge porn” / Non‑consensual intimate images (NCII)

If someone threatens to share intimate photos of you without consent, do not pay or comply. Save all evidence (screenshots, URLs), and report to the platform. In many countries, this is a crime. See the “Reporting” section below.

Image‑Based Abuse (Non‑consensual Intimate Images)

If someone has shared or threatened to share intimate images of you without your consent, you are not alone. Help is available.

Immediate steps:

  1. Do not pay or engage. Paying rarely stops the abuse.
  2. Document everything – take screenshots of messages, profiles, and URLs.
  3. Report to the platform (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.). Most have dedicated NCII reporting tools.
  4. Contact a support organisation – see links below.

Where to get help:

  • Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI): 24/7 helpline 844‑878‑2274 (USA) – cybercivilrights.org
  • StopNCII.org: Hashing tool to prevent images from being shared on participating platforms.
  • Take It Down (NCMEC): Anonymous tool for minors to remove online images.
  • Our Find Help page includes local legal and mental health services.

Reporting Online Harassment & Abuse

📌 How to report to platforms:

  • Facebook/Instagram: Use the “Report” button on posts, messages, or profiles.
  • Twitter/X: Report tweet or account – options for abuse, harassment, non‑consensual media.
  • TikTok: In‑app reporting for comments, messages, videos.
  • WhatsApp/Telegram: Block the user, then report within the chat.
  • Reddit: Report posts/comments; also contact subreddit moderators.

⚖️ Legal reporting:

  • Save all evidence (screenshots with timestamps, URLs, email headers).
  • File a police report – bring your evidence and request a copy of the report.
  • In many countries, online harassment, stalking, and NCII are criminal offences.
  • Our Rights & Support page has information on protection orders.

Device & Browser Security

📱 Phones / Tablets:

  • Use a PIN or biometric lock (face/fingerprint).
  • Keep operating system and apps updated.
  • Only install apps from official stores (Apple App Store, Google Play).
  • Check app permissions – why does a flashlight app need access to your contacts?
  • Enable “Find My Device” (Android) or “Find My iPhone” (iOS).

💻 Laptops / Computers:

  • Use a firewall and reputable antivirus (e.g., Windows Defender, Malwarebytes).
  • Cover your webcam when not in use.
  • Lock your screen when you step away (Windows+L / Ctrl+Cmd+Q on Mac).
  • Use a VPN on public Wi‑Fi (free options like ProtonVPN, or paid like Mullvad).

🌐 Private Browsing:

Incognito mode (Chrome), Private Window (Firefox), or InPrivate (Edge) prevents your history from being saved locally. It does NOT hide your activity from your internet provider or employer. For stronger privacy, use a VPN or Tor Browser.

Stalkerware – What It Is & How to Detect It

Stalkerware (also called spouseware) is software secretly installed on your phone or computer to monitor your messages, calls, location, and browsing. It is often used by abusers.

🚨 Signs your device may have stalkerware:

  • Battery drains faster than usual.
  • Data usage spikes unexpectedly.
  • Phone gets hot when not in use.
  • Strange apps appear (often hidden).
  • You hear background noise during calls.

✅ What to do:

  • Run a security scan (Malwarebytes, Kaspersky, Avast).
  • Check installed apps list for unknown names.
  • If you suspect stalkerware, do not delete it immediately – it may alert the abuser. Seek help from a domestic violence advocate first.
  • Contact Coalition Against Stalkerware for guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Someone is threatening to share my private photos. What do I do first?

Do not pay or comply. Document everything (screenshots, messages, profile URLs). Report to the platform. Contact a support organisation like CCRI or StopNCII.org. You can also file a police report.

How can I check if my email has been in a data breach?

Visit haveibeenpwned.com and enter your email address. If it appears, change your password immediately on any affected accounts and enable 2FA.

Is using public Wi‑Fi safe?

Public Wi‑Fi is often unencrypted. Avoid logging into bank accounts or email. Use a VPN to encrypt your traffic. Many free VPNs are unsafe – research before using.

What is doxxing and how can I prevent it?

Doxxing is publishing someone’s private information (address, phone number) online without consent. To reduce risk: use a PO box, avoid sharing location in real time, use different usernames across sites, and opt out of data broker sites.

My ex is harassing me online – can I block them and make my accounts private?

Yes, block them on every platform. Set your social media to private. Save evidence of harassment. If it continues, consider a protection order (restraining order) – our Rights & Support page has more information.

📢 Need more help?

Our global directory includes verified hotlines for online abuse, domestic violence, and legal support.

Browse Help Directory →Rights & Support Page →

🔒 This page does not store any data. All advice is for educational purposes. If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number.