Doxes

Doxes

Doxes is a term that refers to the practice of publicly revealing private or personal information about an individual without their consent. This information can include addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and other sensitive data. The term is derived from the word "documents" and is often associated with cyberbullying, online harassment, and cyberstalking.

History

The practice of doxing has been around since the early days of the internet, but it gained significant attention with the rise of social media and online forums. Initially, doxing was used by hackers to expose the identities of other hackers. Over time, it has evolved into a tool for harassment and intimidation, often used in cyber warfare and hacktivism.

Methods

Doxers use various methods to gather information about their targets. These methods can include:

• Social engineering: Manipulating individuals into divulging personal information.
• Phishing: Using deceptive emails or websites to trick individuals into providing sensitive information.
• Data mining: Extracting information from publicly available databases and social media profiles.
• Hacking: Gaining unauthorized access to computer systems to retrieve personal data.

Legal and Ethical Implications

Doxing is considered illegal in many jurisdictions and can lead to severe legal consequences. It is a violation of privacy and can result in emotional distress, financial loss, and even physical harm to the victims. Various laws, such as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act in the United States, are in place to combat doxing and protect individuals' privacy.

Prevention and Protection

To protect oneself from doxing, individuals are advised to:

• Limit the amount of personal information shared online.
• Use strong, unique passwords for different accounts.
• Enable two-factor authentication on all online accounts.
• Be cautious of phishing attempts and suspicious emails.
• Regularly monitor online presence and remove any unnecessary personal information.

Related Pages

• Cyberbullying
• Online harassment
• Cyberstalking
• Social engineering (security)
• Phishing
• Data mining
• Hacking
• Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
• Hacktivism
• Cyber warfare