Women must protect themselves

Some time ago, I read that a girl went missing after she went to meet someone she met online. There were a few more such cases reported. These cases have placed a question mark on being anonymous or hiding one’s identity on social media. What are the intentions behind this? Why are women the main target of cybercrimes? The rise in internet users has caused an alarming rise in cybercrimes. Digital media gives people an opportunity to extend their reach to the entire world, both professionally and personally. Social media gives women the tools to share their success or problems, or their stories with the world. Ironically, on the other hand, it has made the lives of many women insecure, with the rise in cybercrimes. Harassment, trolling, cyber-stalking and defamation are a few of the crimes committed against women in the digital world. The nature of social media is such that you can easily obtain personal information about people you don’t really even know. Even on websites where you need to enter your name and other personal details, people can falsify their identity. Once it is faked, one can become almost untraceable. This boosts the confidence of cybercriminals. Studies show that many women prefer not to report these crimes, fearing social repercussions. It will take time to protect ourselves in this ever-changing world of social media. Until then, we need to be careful about what information we place in the public domain. Not trusting strangers is the key to safety. People should not hesitate to report cybercrimes to law-enforcing agencies.