Cyberstalking May Affect Nearly A Quarter of Internet Consumers by 2025 — Survey
Cyberstalking May Affect Nearly A Quarter of Internet Consumers by 2025 — Survey
We spend a significant portion of our lives online, and while the online world provides us with freedom, it also leaves us susceptible to a variety of hazards. Cyberstalking is one of these hazards, and it is projected to impact nearly 25% of internet users by 2025.
By the year 2025, a survey by VPNRanks forecasts that 23% of internet users would have experienced stalking that was tied to the internet. The virtual private network (VPN) review website projects an annual growth rate of 5%, which is reflective of the growing frequency of cyberstalking occurrences. This projection is based on both current and historical trends.
By the year 2025, it is anticipated that about 9 million individuals will have been victims of cyberstalking, with three out of ten users in the United States being affected.
What is Cyberstalking?
Cyberstalking is a form of harassment that involves the use of electronic communications, such as email, text message, or social media messaging, by an individual with the intention to threaten, scare, or harass someone.
One of the most well-known examples of cyberstalking was presented in the critically acclaimed Netflix series “Baby Reindeer,” which was written and produced by Richard Gadd. The series showed how the ramifications of digital abuse manifested themselves in the lead character, Donny.
The character of Donny, who was portrayed by Gadd, would get thousands of SMS and emails from a woman named Martha each and every day. Additionally, Donny would receive a large number of comments on his Facebook profile, some of which were offensive and others of which were hostile.
Although some people may believe that cyberstalking is a rare occurrence, the reality is that it is much more widespread than you might imagine.
According to a variety of surveys conducted in 2021, the percentage of people who were victims of cyberstalking ranged from approximately 7% to 40%.
In a manner that is analogous to the real-life experience that Gadd had, as depicted in Baby Reindeer, the majority of people who are victims of stalking also experience cyberstalking.
According to the depiction in the series, Gadd was aware of his stalker. In a similar vein, according to VPNRanks, nearly seventy percent of victims were familiar with the perpetrator and afraid that they would be physically attacked by them.
There were around 1.5 million persons in the United States who were victims of cyberstalking in 2019. This represents approximately 0.6% of the total population.
The phenomenon of cyberstalking is becoming increasingly widespread for a number of different reasons.
Due to the fact that more individuals are moving online, there is more room for malicious actors to take advantage of their victims, which makes the internet a much larger hunting ground.
As a result of the proliferation of smart gadgets and the development of sophisticated hacking tools, malicious actors are now in a better position than ever before to track down, harass, and frighten the people they target.
Conventional approaches are preferred by threat actors when it comes to carrying out digital abuse, despite the fact that machines are becoming more intelligent. In 2025, it is anticipated that the most popular forms of cyberstalking will continue to be through the use of text messaging, email, and phone calls.
The fact that there is a lack of information regarding the topic is perhaps one of the primary reasons why cyberstalking can easily spread from one person to another. For a variety of reasons, including the fear of reprisal or the overall lack of awareness surrounding the laws of such an act, individuals are less likely to disclose instances of cyberstalking.
“A significant number of instances of cyberstalking are not recorded, which makes it difficult to comprehend the entire extent of the problem. A prediction made by VPNRanks indicates that by the year 2025, the number of reported cases may only account for approximately ten percent of the overall incidences. This highlights the necessity of continuing to enhance reporting systems and public awareness.”
VPNRanks advocates for “more robust digital security measures and increased awareness” of cyberstalking as a means of effectively addressing the problems that are associated with cyberstalking in the digital realm.
In order to effectively combat cyberstalking, a multi-pronged strategy that incorporates education, technological advancements, and legal frameworks is required. By gaining an awareness of the magnitude of the issue and implementing preventative measures, we are able to reduce the dangers that are involved with cyberstalking. In conclusion, VPNRanks comes to the conclusion that it is essential for everyone to remain informed and watchful in order to secure a safer digital future.
About The Author:
Yogesh Naager is a content marketer who specializes in the cybersecurity and B2B space. Besides writing for the News4Hackers blogs, he also writes for brands including Craw Security, Bytecode Security, and NASSCOM.
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