This is our guide to online dating safety and security.
Im sure, like many of us, you have been on a date thats gone horribly wrong.
I suppose you are probably wondering: Just how wrong can online dating go?
Your data is not always safe at big online dating corporations, either.
So before you head blindly into the world of online dating, read this article first.
It might just save you a considerable amount of time.
A friend is proposed to on Linkedin (shared with permission)
you could take all the appropriate precautions and still have your life put in jeopardy.
How can you spot them?
How can you avoid them?
A friend is proposed to on Linkedin (shared with permission)
What should you do if one happens to you?
And what does the law say about certain online risks?
Fraudulent online dating websites will pose as a lawful business.
Fraudulent sites often have a few glaring characteristics.
So, what exactly should we be looking for?
The website uses stock images.
Basically, theyre too good to be true.
The website asks for too much personal information.
These details can be used for identity theft and fraud.
Be wary of sites that offer rewards for data/personal information, too.
The website or app requires payment upfront.
Scam dating websites usually have one objective: convincing you to pay or provide credit card details.
Most legitimate websites allow you to take limited actions before requesting payment.
Of course, the easiest way to find out if a website is scamming people is by reading reviews.
In theory, this will help you avoid any dishonest or fraudulent dating sites.
Meanwhile, anonymous review websites could be full of fake reviews submitted by the sites themselves.
The website is based offshore.
Check the websites privacy policy.
Promises to match men with young women from developing countries.
They also require that you pay upfront to use their services.
People create catfish profiles for a wide range of reasons.
Unfortunately, catfishing cases are often motivated by more sinister intentions.
Eventually, when enough trust is built up, the scam kicks in.Youre asked to send money for help.
Or you start sexting, sharing explicit messages that are used to blackmail or extort you.
The consequences can be devastating.
Most people only discover theyve been catfished when it’s much too late.
Look out for these red flags when dating online and stay away from catfishes.
A single profile pic.
Most people on dating apps and sites these days put at least a little effort into their photos.
If someone has only uploaded a single photo, theyre probably not interested in making real connections.
No photo revealing their face.
If the person who made the profile doesnt want you to see their face, theyre probably hiding something.
Catfish accounts can be run by anyone, male or female.
By hiding their face, they can reduce the risk of getting caught by victims before meeting up.
The profile is too good to be true.
Almost everyone lies on their dating profiles, but a catfish takes that to the extreme.
They often use stock photos or steal images from real social media profiles.
One-word answers and bad grammar.
That might be enough to scare a catfish away.
They deflect or ignore suggestions to meet in person.
A catfish is usually trying to trick you in some way.
Their end goal might be financial, or they may plan on manipulating you in another way.
Regardless of their intent, meeting in person will jeopardize whatever scheme theyre planning.
They dont share personal details.
They include contact info in the app (like phone numbers).
They ask for money or some kind of help.
They immediately suggest hooking up.
Hooking up is often a euphemism for sex work.
Even if its not, if someone immediately suggests sex, theyre probably bad news for you anyway.
Avoiding them would be the best course of action.
They ask for nude or sexual images.
Blackmail is a common tactic when scamming people on dating sites.
Remember, just because someone sends you nudes, doesnt mean they are legitimate.
They could easily be stolen or altered from a real profile, or simply found online.
Harassment goes hand-in-hand withabuse, which describes any improper treatment from another individual with bad intentions.
Abuse is unjust, wrongful, and malicious.
The difference between the two is that harassment is persistent abuse, whereas abuse can be a one-off event.
Online harassment and abuse defines the system of these practices through the internet.
In this sense, harassment can easily become a form ofstalking.
Stalkingis when someone persistently targets another person with obsessive behavior.
Stalking is a form of harassment.
Cyberstalking describes these intrusive behaviors when exerted through social media platforms and online communications.
Stalkers could obsess over a victims online content,or constantly visit their address on Google Maps.
Its therefore important we know how to protect ourselves from these risks.
Its for this reason that we must take steps to safeguard ourselves, by safeguarding our personal information.
When using dating apps,preventing risksshould be at the forefront of our minds.
Hackers or online recipients may also disseminate someones sexual content.
Sexual images are private and highly sensitive to the victim.
They are often sent to a single person.
This can have devastating effects.
The victim will come under scrutiny and malicious shaming from the public, or even their friends and family.
The victim may suffer mental trauma and this punch in of abuse can have long-term effects.
This shows how important it is to trust the person you send sexual images to.
Despite progress from activists around the world, the scourge ofrevenge porn is actually getting worse.
The photos consisted mostly of nudes and sexually explicit selfies.
These are just three high-profile cases of well-known women that have garnered attention in the press.
Tens of thousands of cases go unreported every year all over the world.
Theres nothing wrong or shameful about sexting and sharing intimate pictures or videoswith your partners.
But once something is leaked or shared online, its almost impossible to make it disappear.
Come up with creative angles so you’ve got the option to never be identified.
Make your photos self-destruct.
The Disckreet app was built specifically for safe sexting.
However, plenty of forums show ways around these features.
Never share your passwords.
Resist the temptation to share everything and maintain a degree of privacy.
Hide and password protect your most intimate photos and videos.
Only ever sext with long-term partners.
Ask them to delete after and show proof.
Sexting is a great way to add some spice, excitement, and playfulness into a relationship.
But it also requires a huge amount of trust.
Wait until youve built a strong bond with a partner prior to beginning sexting.
Create some grounds and insist any sexts must be deleted after theyve been sent.
you’ve got the option to also Disckreet, a secure messaging app for couples.
Of course, this is easier said than done.
Alcohol lowers our inhibitions, increases our horniness, and dulls our common sense and self-control.
So, its easy to say dont sext drunk when youre sober.
Its much more difficult to stick to it after a few drinks.
Unfortunately, it requires a lot of work from the victim.
You also need to act quickly so the offending material doesnt spread too far.
Theres nothing wrong with sexting or sharing intimate images with someone you trust.
Most young people have done it at some point.
Unfortunately, some people choose to betray this trust due to bitterness or dishonest intentions.
Whatever their intentions, it shows a deep weakness in their character.
Stop communicating with the offender immediately.
If somebody threatens you with revenge porn, stop communicating with them immediately.
Record any messages and take screenshots.
As difficult as it may be, dont delete messages or any images that expose the person targeting you.
In countries with revenge porn laws, any evidence you collect can be used to file police charges.
If you dont feel able to collect the evidence yourself, ask a friend or family member to help.
Make your social media private.
To protect yourself, confirm all your social media profiles have the highest possible privacy prefs.
This will also prevent your harasser from further intimidating or bullying you.
Change passwords to any private accounts, in case your attacker has obtained them at any point.
Reach out and find support.
If youve been victimized or threatened, dont be afraid to speak up and ask for help.
Tell your friends and, if possible, your family.
Hopefully, they will understand and can support you in the next steps you take.
But remember, theres no shame in sharing intimate photos with someone.
Check the laws in your country.
Take steps to get the content taken offline.
Alternatively, you might hire a law firm or take-down service to represent you for a small fee.
Unfortunately, you cant stop random people from sending you inappropriate messages on most websites.
Online daters can find themselves in dangerous real-life situations almost unexpectedly.
The issue has been covered in popular culture before.
Without spoiling the series altogether, Joes stalking inevitably spreads into the real world - with violent implications.
Protecting yourself from online stalking is the first step towards preventing stalking and harassment in real life.
All of the preventative measures outlined in the online section of this guide still hold true.
Though, sometimes these attacks can occur unexpectedly.
What should you do to protect yourself from the real-life risks of stalking and harassment?
Have an affair is one of the companys memorable taglines.
However, in July 2015, its promise of a 100% discrete service was rendered laughable.
A group calling themselves the Impact Team accessed AMs database and stole files on every single user.
They leaked files for more than 30 million of Ashley Madisons users, located across 40 different countries.
Names, addresses, even body dimensions, and sexual preferences were all exposed.
Apps like Buzz Bumble or Tinder Profile Search offer people a way of searching for people on dating apps.
For these reasons, it helps to know exactly what youre getting into when you meet someone online.
However, do not be totally surprised if things dont go according to plan.
Keep your wits about you on a date, too.
Leaving the situation before things escalate further is the best way to avoid a serious altercation.
Dating services collect all manner of valuable, sensitive data from their users.
Some even storeyour sexual orientation, sexual preferences, medical data, or geolocation data without you knowing it.
The accumulation of valuable data is what renders dating apps and websites an attractive target for hackers.
Several high-profile incidents have occurred in recent years due to this reason.
How Can Someone Access Your Data Via Dating Apps?
The answer to that question is somewhat controversial.
The issue is pretty widespread.
Under the cover of adtech, this is essentially a form of corporate spying.
Grindrs app also includes a technology that tracks each users IP address across a number of different devices.
Pretty scary stuff, but big companies arent the only ones who are after your data.
Loads of dating apps are vulnerable to hacks and breaches, and have poor security systems in place.
An unsecured ElasticSearch server.
credit card details or account access codes).
Dating sites collect your data in ways you couldnt possibly imagine (and probably arent aware of).
Some of the data they collect isnt relevant to the function of their services, either.
Data leaks and hacks are another misuse of data that is likely to come under scrutiny from governing bodies.
In this case, 30 million people had their love lives, or marriages, thrown into jeopardy.
Social contact has been cut down to a minimum by distancing measures and lockdowns.
People have really struggled in truth, with loneliness and the desire for connection.
Heres how you should navigate this risk, and the world of pandemic dating as a whole.
While the temptation to compromise and lower your standards is strong, you should be doing the exact opposite.
see to it any potential dates are aligned in their views, concerns, and expectations about the pandemic.
Dont wait until meeting in person to discuss.
Bring it up early in the chat and have the Covid talk.
Even better, be completely honest and explicit in your profile.
This will create a solid filter and save you time.
News stories, surveys, and campaigns from victim support groups around the world show a worrying trend.
If youre lining up a date, check the news in your area.
If cases are increasing and youre no longer sure it’s responsible to go on a date, cancel.
Dont feel obligated to commit to a date if it poses a risk to your health.
Make use of open spaces in your area, like parks, gardens, and outdoor restaurants.
But check that theres still people closeby, so youre not in danger or need to ask for help.
Dont go on dates in small, crowded, indoor spaces.
Also, outdoor dates are great!
In times of stress and loneliness, you might feel like a safer option is reconnecting with your ex.
While this might seem easier than meeting new people, remember: that relationship ended for a reason.
If youre diagnosed with Covid-19 (or just show symptoms), your date deserves to know.
It doesnt mean either of you is to blame.
Give yourselves plenty of time to finish up and get home safely.
Your friends and family can shelter you and support you, without judgment or shame.
Victim support groups- most countries have networks of support groups for victims of crime and abuse.
Many specialize in helping women.
Theyre usually run by NGOs and staffed with volunteers who know the laws and best practices in your area.
They can provide practical support and legal assistance, should you need it.
Conclusion
Despite all of the associated risks, we mustnt forget the excitement that accompanies romance.
People use online dating sites and apps because theyre enjoyable.
The chance of a life-changing encounter at the end of our fingertips is a pretty special feeling.
Youll spend less time dealing with problems, and more time speaking to the people who make you smile.
Dont let the threat of harassers, stalkers, or fraudsters derail your love life online.
Stay vigilant, remember what you have learned.
And most importantly - have fun!
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