The internet can be an incredible tool for connection, advocacy, and truth-telling but it can also be weaponized by stalkers and malicious actors. Online harassment often escalates into smear campaigns, false accusations, and even attempts to exploit private details for harm. If you find yourself a target, the most important step is to take back control of your digital presence.
The biggest thing to remember is no one is ever truly anonymous. Cyber security experts will readily admit that there really is no such thing as privacy, more or less. Unless you’re completely off the grid, which these days is an anomaly.
Below are essential strategies to protect yourself and your loved ones from online stalkers and slander.
1. Guard Your Personal Information
- Don’t overshare: Never share addresses, phone numbers, workplace details, or travel schedules online, especially with people you don’t personally know.
- Frame sensitive issues carefully: Struggles with addiction, mental health, or family conflict can be twisted by stalkers and opportunists. If you’re a public figure, consider framing them transparently in your own terms, before someone else spins them against you.
- Assume permanence: Anything you post online, no matter how quickly deleted, can be screenshotted and used later.
2. Use Google Alerts to Monitor Smear Campaigns
If stalkers attempt to run a smear campaign, you want to know about it immediately. Google Alerts is a free tool that notifies you whenever your name (or your family’s names) appear in new web content.
How to set it up:
- Go to Google Alerts.
- Enter your name in quotes (example:
"Jane Doe") to limit results to exact matches. - Add variations or nicknames if stalkers might use them.
- Choose “As-it-happens” for frequency.
- Deliver results to your email.
Now you’ll receive alerts any time defamatory content surfaces, allowing you to respond, document, or report quickly.
3. Buy and Park Domain Names for Your Family
Malicious actors sometimes purchase domain names (like yourname.com) to harass, impersonate, or slander you. Don’t let them control your digital identity.
- Buy domain names for yourself, your spouse, and your children (example: janedoe.com, johnjdoe.com).
- Even if you don’t plan to use them, park them; just owning them prevents creeps from exploiting them.
- Consider setting up simple “About Me” landing pages that tell your story on your terms.
4. Keep Family and Loved Ones in the Loop
Stalkers and harassers thrive when their victims feel isolated. DO NOT let them cut you off; that’s exactly what they want. Community is your shield and they will help you stay safe.
- Tell family members and close friends what’s happening.
- Ask them to monitor for defamatory content; sometimes loved ones and friends will spot things you won’t.
- Encourage them to report harmful posts, share screenshots, and keep a digital paper trail.
- If you ask nicely, some may even help you keep the dumb-dumbs busy so you can get work done. 😉
Your community can act as extra eyes and ears, making it harder for harassers to spread lies unchecked.
5. Document, Document, Document
Always assume you may need evidence later, especially with sickos running around.
- Screenshot every post, comment, or message.
- Save URLs and timestamps.
- Keep a secure folder (cloud storage or encrypted drive) with your evidence.
This record can support legal action, workplace protections, or restraining orders if needed.
6. Learn How to Remove Content
There are ways to protect your brand, name, likeness, and image from being defamed. Copyright and trademark protection, as well as harassment features are built into most social media platforms, but it takes maneuvering to know how to do it.
Luckily, clutch has a brand new toolkit for DMCA takedowns, that you can find here.
Bonus: NordVPN
I would be amiss if I did not encourage you to get a VPN, and of course, must recommend and thank my sponsor, NordVPN for their support.
Pulling It Together
Dealing with online stalkers and slander isn’t just about defense; it’s about reclaiming your power. Protecting your personal details, controlling your digital footprint, and keeping loved ones engaged makes it much harder for malicious actors to succeed.
Being proactive and letting law enforcement will also be a big piece to this, especially if they have a penchant for making false police reports against you to intentionally do harm.
The internet doesn’t have to be a weapon in their hands. With the right steps, you can make it your shield.
🖤 Love what we do? Support Clutch.
