What are the Electronic Harassment?

Electronic Harassment is continuing aggressive actions from strangers which are directed to intimidate people and made them feel uncomfortable, unsafe and cause them constant fear. They are virtually identical to regular harassment, but it is through the use of electronic means to harass users.

Methods of Electronic Harassment:

• Wrong Accusations
  • A lot of Harassing people tend to lie and spread rumors about some users to discredit the victim
• Trying to Collect Information
  • Abusers often request specific information on an ongoing basis and sometimes try to ask the victim's friends for private information about the victim. In some cases the abusers spy on the work of the victim, his friends and websites he/she visits.
• Encouraging Others to Harass the Victim
  • A group of users in chat rooms who are trying to expel a visitor.
• Pretending to be a victim
  • Some abusers try to convince others that he/she was a victim of harassment by other people and he/she try to ask for help to punish the real victim.
  • Attacking the victim's data and devices using viruses and malware.
• Request a personal meeting
  • Some abusers try to Force the victim to meet them in real life
• Harassment and racial discrimination
  • Obscene words directed to the victim and sending unacceptable photos
• Threat
  • It is the most prevalent methods of harassment which aims at forcing the victim to do things against their wishes.

Means of Electronic Harassment

Means of harassment differ according to the method used. Sometimes the messages sent directly to the victim. In some cases the pursuer tries to send viruses to the victim. In some cases, information, images and files that are not ethical are sent in behalf of the victim. Or in some cases the victims does not know that there is someone who is causing harassment to them. The most prominent electronic means are as follows:

• Internet and forums
• Social networking websites
• Search engines
• E-mails
• Mobile phones
• Chat Rooms

Risks and impact of Harassment on the victim and the community:

• Distorting the reputation of the victim
• Spreading fear and panic in the internet
• Requesting money from the victims
• Causing instability for some users
• Dissemination of misleading information
• Destruction of data

Ways to prevent Electronic Harassment:

• In case you face such situations, inform your parents immediately.
• Do not reply to suspicious messages.
• Do not display or publish personal information on the Internet.
• Treat people on the Internet, as people you deal with in real life.
• Be committed to morality when you using the modern techniques.
• If you received any threats report an incident to Oman National CERT.
• Do not confront it and never hesitate to inform your parents.
• Do not give any personal information about yourself or others.
• Leave the websites where such harassment can be found.
• Ensure that you don't publish any personal information.