Doxxing (also doxing), coming from the abbreviation of documents, is the act of identifying and consequentially revealing to the internet private, identifying information about one’s target, usually with malicious intent. While this form of internet vigilantism does have some legitimate purposes, the practice is often shrouded in bigotry and hatred that compels doxxers to target marginalized persons. Such persons then attack them by revealing previously undisclosed information for, at times, simply holding an opinion or having the audacity to offend the doxxers in some manner, prompting revenge or simply thrill through exposing relegated people.
While just a simple Google-search can reveal plenty about the average person, doxxing usually surpasses using just a search engine. Doxxers typically use any means possible to gain personal information about their targets, often crossing into the realm of illicit means. Hacking personal accounts or social media, social engineering and taking advantage of other weakness in personal security can make it relatively easy for experienced doxxers to find large volumes of personal information about their subject. Once this personal information is gained, what happens to it is entirely up to their discretion. Most spread the information far and wide so that various anonymous internet users can harass the target as they please, from leaving threatening message to showing up in person. This renders the victim in complete peril as there’s no telling how far they’ll go in their antics, from signing them up for humorous subscriptions to swatting them or sending them dangerous items.
The largest problem with doxxing is that those doing it often feel justified in their actions. Many doxxers aren’t from hate groups or trying to spread bigotry; instead, they feel that their practice is helping to expose those that perpetrate such acts. The “hacktivist” group Anonymous has released the information of KKK members, Donald Trump, and many other unsavory persons to the public with the ambiguous goal of righting wrongs through the internet. The popular website Reddit had numerous members attempt to identify innocent persons as suspects after the Boston Bombing in 2013. While these and many other groups feel that the “ends justify the means” when it comes to doxxing, the practice is still irrefutably illegal and even unethical, and can easily escalate beyond what may have been originally intended. Once their target’s information becomes public domain, it’s impossible for doxxers to control what others do with the information they’ve posted.
From well-intentioned vigilantes to overzealous news reporters, to even the now President himself, Donald Trump, doxxing is now an increasingly prevalent problem. As more people become victims of this crime, many wonder how they can protect themselves from it happening to them. The best way to do so is to simply be conscious about the information you share online, and how easily it can fall into the hands of those with malicious intent. Some can be doxxed with no prompting whatsoever, at times due to mere coincidence, so the importance of keeping one’s information private is more pressing than ever. However, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”; thus, make sure to avoid doxxing in all its various forms. Sharing any personal information without consent may have legal ramifications, and is ethically unsound. As the internet grows in everyday usage and information becomes more accessible, protecting it is of upmost importance and is the shared onus of all internet-users.
