{"id":737,"date":"2025-07-24T08:00:34","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T12:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/?p=737"},"modified":"2026-02-17T10:21:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T15:21:31","slug":"think-before-you-share","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/2025\/07\/24\/think-before-you-share\/","title":{"rendered":"Think Before You Share: How to Avoid Being Doxxed"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"308\" data-end=\"480\">The internet has made it easier than ever to connect, share, and speak out \u2014 but it\u2019s also created new risks, especially when it comes to <strong data-start=\"446\" data-end=\"479\">online harassment and doxxing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"482\" data-end=\"735\">Doxxing (short for &#8220;dropping documents&#8221;) is the act of publicly sharing someone\u2019s <strong data-start=\"564\" data-end=\"588\">personal information<\/strong> \u2014 like their phone number, home address, or school schedule \u2014 without their consent, often with the intent to <strong data-start=\"699\" data-end=\"734\">intimidate, harass, or threaten<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"737\" data-end=\"779\">Why Campus Communities Are Targeted<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"781\" data-end=\"882\">College students, faculty, and staff can be at higher risk for doxxing and online harassment because:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"883\" data-end=\"1195\">\n<li data-start=\"883\" data-end=\"959\">\n<p data-start=\"885\" data-end=\"959\"><strong data-start=\"885\" data-end=\"926\">Campus directory info is often public<\/strong> (name, email, major, department)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"960\" data-end=\"1032\">\n<p data-start=\"962\" data-end=\"1032\">Students are active on <strong data-start=\"985\" data-end=\"1032\">social media, activism, or public platforms<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1033\" data-end=\"1129\">\n<p data-start=\"1035\" data-end=\"1129\">Faculty and staff may be <strong data-start=\"1060\" data-end=\"1083\">quoted in the media<\/strong>, post research online, or take public stances<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1130\" data-end=\"1195\">\n<p data-start=\"1132\" data-end=\"1195\">Group chats, forums, or comments can attract unwanted attention<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1197\" data-end=\"1329\">Even if you don\u2019t consider yourself a &#8220;public figure,&#8221; you might still be targeted for <strong data-start=\"1284\" data-end=\"1329\">your identity, opinions, or associations.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1331\" data-end=\"1334\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1336\" data-end=\"1358\">What Can Happen<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"1360\" data-end=\"1577\">\n<li data-start=\"1360\" data-end=\"1401\">\n<p data-start=\"1362\" data-end=\"1401\">Receiving threats or abusive messages<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1402\" data-end=\"1451\">\n<p data-start=\"1404\" data-end=\"1451\">Having private info or photos shared publicly<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1452\" data-end=\"1492\">\n<p data-start=\"1454\" data-end=\"1492\">Being impersonated or spoofed online<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1493\" data-end=\"1534\">\n<p data-start=\"1495\" data-end=\"1534\">Emotional distress or fear for safety<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1535\" data-end=\"1577\">\n<p data-start=\"1537\" data-end=\"1577\">Real-world stalking or security concerns<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"1579\" data-end=\"1582\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1584\" data-end=\"1614\">How to Protect Yourself<\/h2>\n<h3 data-start=\"1616\" data-end=\"1657\">1. <strong data-start=\"1624\" data-end=\"1657\">Limit What You Share Publicly<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1658\" data-end=\"1795\">Avoid posting your location in real time. Don\u2019t share your address, full class schedule, or phone number online \u2014 even in private groups.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1797\" data-end=\"1838\">2. <strong data-start=\"1805\" data-end=\"1838\">Tighten Your Privacy Settings<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1839\" data-end=\"2006\">Check who can see your posts, tags, and personal info on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and TikTok. Restrict your profiles to friends or connections.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2008\" data-end=\"2062\">3. <strong data-start=\"2016\" data-end=\"2062\">Use a Separate Email for Public Activities<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2063\" data-end=\"2216\">Create a school-safe, non-personal email if you\u2019re involved in clubs, online content creation, or activism. Avoid using your main student or staff email.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2218\" data-end=\"2245\">4. <strong data-start=\"2226\" data-end=\"2245\">Google Yourself<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2246\" data-end=\"2391\">Search your name and image to see what info is publicly available. If you find something concerning, take steps to report or request its removal.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2393\" data-end=\"2439\">5. <strong data-start=\"2401\" data-end=\"2439\">Know What to Do If You&#8217;re Targeted<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"2440\" data-end=\"2721\">\n<li data-start=\"2440\" data-end=\"2499\">\n<p data-start=\"2442\" data-end=\"2499\"><strong data-start=\"2442\" data-end=\"2462\">Take screenshots<\/strong> of threatening or harassing messages<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2500\" data-end=\"2543\">\n<p data-start=\"2502\" data-end=\"2543\"><strong data-start=\"2502\" data-end=\"2515\">Report it<\/strong> to the platform immediately<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2544\" data-end=\"2638\">\n<p data-start=\"2546\" data-end=\"2638\"><strong data-start=\"2546\" data-end=\"2579\">Contact the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/information-technology\/it-service-desk\/\">IT Service Desk<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0(especially if it involves your school email or directory)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2639\" data-end=\"2721\">\n<p data-start=\"2641\" data-end=\"2721\"><strong data-start=\"2641\" data-end=\"2660\">Talk to someone<\/strong> \u2014 counselors, advisors, or student support services can help<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"2723\" data-end=\"2726\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"2728\" data-end=\"2765\">Campus Resources That Can Help<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"2767\" data-end=\"3124\">\n<li data-start=\"2767\" data-end=\"2850\">\n<p data-start=\"2769\" data-end=\"2850\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/information-technology\/it-service-desk\/\"><strong data-start=\"2769\" data-end=\"2791\">IT Service Desk<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Will give next steps and get you in contact with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/information-technology\/security\/\">Information Security<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2851\" data-end=\"2947\">\n<p data-start=\"2853\" data-end=\"2947\"><strong data-start=\"2853\" data-end=\"2891\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/about-montclair\/compliance\/equity-and-title-ix\/\">Title IX Office<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/dean-of-students\/office-student-conduct\/\">Student Conduct<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 If harassment involves discrimination or misconduct<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2948\" data-end=\"3032\">\n<p data-start=\"2950\" data-end=\"3032\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/university-police\/contact-us\/\"><strong data-start=\"2950\" data-end=\"2984\">University Police <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 If you feel physically unsafe or threatened<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3033\" data-end=\"3124\">\n<p data-start=\"3035\" data-end=\"3124\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/counseling-and-psychological-services\/about-caps\/\"><strong data-start=\"3035\" data-end=\"3058\">Counseling &amp; Psychological Services (CAPS)<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Emotional support and resources if you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"3311\" data-end=\"3314\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"3316\" data-end=\"3360\">Final Tip: Digital Safety = Self-Care<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3362\" data-end=\"3607\">Your digital presence is part of your identity. Just like you lock your doors or walk with a friend at night, <strong data-start=\"3472\" data-end=\"3521\">take steps to protect your information online<\/strong> \u2014 especially in an age where a screenshot or post can travel the internet in seconds.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3609\" data-end=\"3738\">If you&#8217;re worried about something you\u2019ve seen or experienced online, you\u2019re not alone \u2014 and you don&#8217;t have to deal with it alone.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-start=\"284\" data-end=\"423\"><p><strong>&#8220;Once you put it on the internet, you can never get it back.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Emily Harris JD, CISSP, CIPP\/US<br \/>\nChief Information Security Officer<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"553\" data-end=\"653\">Want to Know More?<\/h2>\n<p>security.org | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.security.org\/digital-safety\/what-is-doxxing\/\">What Is Doxxing? And What to Do If You or Someone You Know Has Been Doxxed?<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"lSfe4c r5bEn aI5QMe\">\n<div class=\"SoAPf\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"MgUUmf NUnG9d\">American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aclu.org\/news\/free-speech\/some-steps-to-defend-against-online-doxxing-and-harassment\">Some Steps to Defend Against Online Doxxing and Harassment<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Kaspersky | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/doxing-of-women\/46812\/\">Doxing \u2014 another online danger for women<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Education Week | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.edweek.org\/teaching-learning\/what-is-doxxing-and-how-can-educators-protect-their-privacy-online\/2024\/05\">What Is Doxxing, and How Can Educators Protect Their Privacy Online?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The internet has made it easier than ever to connect, share, and speak out \u2014 but it\u2019s also created new risks, especially when it comes to online harassment and doxxing. Doxxing (short for &#8220;dropping documents&#8221;) is the act of publicly sharing someone\u2019s personal information \u2014 like their phone number, home address, or school schedule \u2014 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":349,"featured_media":625,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-737","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/737","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/349"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=737"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/737\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1430,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/737\/revisions\/1430"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/625"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}