Think You’re Safe Online? Cyber Violence Experts Say Otherwise
Written by: Minelle Chowdry, 5th Year, BMOS
Photo by: Unsplash
If you’re anything like me, 99% of the time I forget that the digital world isn’t safe. I grew up with technology and feel comfortable with existing on the internet – in my personal life and with so much of school taking place online.
As a Western Technology Services (WTS) intern, I’ve had the opportunity for DAILY reminders about how many risks are lurking behind my screen. In my first 3 months at WTS, the Cybersmart team sent me countless examples of real-life phishing scam emails that were being sent to people at Western – emails that I might have thought were safe to click before!
This month, the Cybersmart team worked with Wellness & Well-being within Student Experience to create resources about Cyber Violence as part of their campaign for Gender Based Violence Awareness. While Cyber Violence can happen to anyone, there are opportunities for people to use Cyber Violence tactics to perpetrate Gender Based Violence, from sextortion and doxxing to stalkerware and tracking apps.
I am lucky - before working at WTS, I didn’t realize how my personal information could be exploited online (and how much of it was out there!). Now, I’m way more aware and I want to help you be, too. No one on campus should have to deal with any form of cyber violence. If something or someone ever feels “off”, don’t ignore that gut feeling, and remember that if you do experience cyber violence it is not your fault. Reach out for help.
What is Cyber Violence?
Cyber Violence is an umbrella term that includes harassment, threats, stalking, and exploitation that happen online. Cyber Violence doesn’t just stay online—it can impact your mental health, finances, and even physical safety.
Who Does It Affect?
Anyone can experience cyber violence, but women, LGBTQ+ individuals and marginalized groups are at increased risk of being targeted. A study on university campuses found that over half of young women have faced online hate or harassment.
Types of Cyber Violence
There are so many ways Cyber Violence can show up in your life, sometimes without you even realizing it.
1. Sextortion & Non-Consensual Image Sharing
Sextortion occurs when someone pressures you to send explicit pictures or videos. They can also extort you (for money, or another outcome) with pictures they already have. If you don’t give in to what they want, they threaten to share images or hurt you.
- Also known as “Image-based Sexual Abuse”
- It often starts with consensual sharing
2. Doxxing
Doxxing is when someone shares your private information like your address, phone number, or personal details online without your permission. This can impact you in real life with outcomes like stalking, harassment, threats, and other attacks.
3. Deepfakes & AI Manipulation
Deepfakes are fake images or videos created using AI. These creations can look totally convincing, and make it look like someone is saying or doing something that they haven’t actually done or said. These are often used to create explicit content, especially targeting people who identify as women, with the goal of causing harm or embarrassment.
4. Cyberstalking & Tracking
Cyberstalking happens when someone uses technology like social media, apps, or even your devices to track you and invade your privacy. They might track your location, read your private messages, or control your devices, all to make you feel uncomfortable, scared or controlled. It can happen on apps you’d expect or ones you wouldn't even think of.
Where and How Does Cyber Violence Happen?
Cyber Violence can happen on any digital platform, but some places are bigger risk zones than others:
- Social Media – The biggest hotspot for sextortion, doxxing, and deepfakes
- Dating Apps – Romance scams
- Messaging Apps – Sextortion, unwanted messages, and blackmailing
- Campus & Workplace Platforms – Cyberstalking and harassment
- Phishing Emails: Emails from unknown individuals (who may be pretending to be your employer, your bank, the government, a retailer or more) asking for information (personal, financial) by creating a sense of urgency and panic.
But one of the biggest silent threats? Data tracking.
Stalkerware: The Silent Cyber Threat
One of the most dangerous tracking tools is stalkerware; spy apps designed to track someone’s device without them knowing.
How Stalkerware Works:
- Installed without your knowledge
- Runs in the background, making it hard to detect. It can track location, read messages, access photos, and even turn on the camera or mic remotely.
Why is this a problem? There are no legal restrictions on individuals using stalkerware. That means anyone can use these apps to violate your privacy.
How to Protect Yourself from Stalkerware:- Check for unknown apps on your phone, especially ones asking for location, camera, or microphone access.
- Review app permissions in your phone settings and disable tracking for apps that don’t need it.
- Be cautious with shared devices—avoid letting others install apps on your phone.
- Update and restart your devices regularly – if the program is “malware” your device security might clear it on its own if you give it a chance to work! You should regularly turn your devices off and on to allow for security protocols to take place.
How to Stay Safer Online
You shouldn’t have to disappear from social media or the internet to feel safe. There are ways to protect yourself from Cyber Violence:
1. Lock Down Your Accounts
- Use strong and complex passwords (15+ characters with unique combinations) and enable multi-factor authentication
- Turn off location tracking for apps that don’t need it
- Adjust your privacy settings on social media
2. Be Aware of What You Share
- Adjust your privacy settings on social media
- Think before posting your location or personal details
- Don’t send intimate images unless you 100% trust the recipient (and even then, be cautious)
3. Recognize Cyber Violence
- Always trust your gut. Block, report, and document anything that makes you uncomfortable
- Take screenshots of threats or inappropriate messages
4. Find Support When You Need It
If you experience Cyber Violence, know that you are not alone. Western University offers resources to help students:
WTS Helpdesk – For security concerns, compromised accounts, or support with tech or cyber security contact wts.uwo.ca/helpdesk
Wellness & Wellbeing, Student Experience - Support for cyber violence and any form of gender-based violence. Email: support@uwo.ca
Western Special Constable Service – For reporting cyberstalking, harassment, or threats. Email: wscs@uwo.ca | Call: 519-661-3300
Final Takeaways
We don’t have to live in fear! Being #CyberSmart and doing our best to make good decisions about how we live our lives with technology makes us safer. The big takeaway? If something or someone ever feels “off”, don’t ignore that gut feeling. Reach out for help!
Learn more about Cybersmart at https://cybersmart.uwo.ca/ and follow us on Instagram @westerncybersmart
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