What's doxxed mean? I'm glad you asked. The Urban Dictionary defines it as someone who reveals personal information such as an email address, phone number, or home address on the internet.
It's a cheap ass punk move to harass others, but it can ruin lives. It's a cyber threat without boundaries. Anyone can be a victim of doxxing regardless of their age, race, nationality, gender, or religion.
When someone leaks your sensitive information online without your knowledge or consent for taking personal revenge on you, harassing, or proving a point... you've been doxxed.
How can you prevent being doxxed?
To begin with don't share so much sensitive information online.
I know. It sounds like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised at what people share online. Sex vids between two lovers can be ammunition for doxxing if those two lovers break up.
You may have heard this before. Don't use easy to guess passwords. Make a habit of changing them ever so often. You want it to be difficult for your online enemy by taking these precautions.
A word on Search Engines. Frequently delete your activity history from Google and other browsers. Also, remove your data from the Google Maps Timeline.
Use a private network (VPN) to hide your IP address. Just by knowing an IP address, a person can find out a device's geographical location, internet providers name, local time, and even the user's web browsing behaviors.
I've only outlined basic measures to protect yourself you from doxxing. If you want to go into further detail, I recommend you read this article from InfoSec Insights.
As it stands, doxxing is the 21st century version of the black plague in Europe. It spreads without restraints to millions of people around the world and can result in physical harm.
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