In a recent harassment case, Critical Friends Ltd (CFL) dealt with, we realised that despite our security advice and support, the fixated individual seemed to be able to appear whenever they wanted in our client's life, causing embarrassment and anxiety.
As a first step, we conducted a physical security review and supported the client in obtaining evidential proof of the individual's continued harassment.
We knew our client was an avid social media user and initially offered advice. However, they wanted to keep their accounts active and enjoyed posting a timeline of their lives and events they attended.
Today, in our social and professional lives, social media is the circuitry and lifeblood connecting people and events like we have never experienced before. While this has become an essential part of modern life, it's important to remember that it can also work against you, especially in times of trouble.
The growth in data aggregators has meant the ability to hoover up information from numerous sources and present it as a profile, a mosaic picture of your life.
In some platforms, like the exercise app Strava, the default setting is that everybody can see your data and tracks unless the user changes it, making a publicly available map from your front door and back again. In an astonishing security lapse, even the CIA fell foul of this one!
Social media and our online footprints are increasingly open to use and abuse; some platforms are virtually unregulated. There is little or no point in relying on them to assist you; this is all about self-help. By taking control of your online presence, you can feel empowered and more secure.
Our client agreed that we should conduct an Online Vulnerability Assessment to identify areas where personal information was exposed. This assessment is a powerful tool that can help you understand and manage your online security.
We could highlight this to the client and advise on security settings and the use of images, giving them the confidence to navigate their online presence more securely.
With CFL supporting the victim, the police eventually had sufficient information to successfully resolve the harassment case, which was enough for them to stop the unwanted attention and did not require our client to be a witness in court.
Author: Andy Nightingale (F/2237)
