Doxing occurs when someone, with malicious intent, searches for and publishes online private and/or identifying information about a person without their permission.  Examples of information used to dox a person include their real name, home address, workplace, phone, financial, and other personal information.  The goal of someone who is doxing another is often to make that person’s online persona and hold them personally accountable for things said or done anonymously online. Doxing is a form of cyberstalking.

There are many ways people can dox you online.  They can track your usernames across the internet, figure out your IP address, send you a phishing link, reverse image search your avatar, or use any number of other investigative tools.

Searching for someone’s information online in a manner that includes hacking into accounts that do not belong to you is illegal and buying information from the dark web may also subject you to arrest.  Depending on what you post online, you may also be committing harassment.

Doxing is a practice that can have very real consequences for those affected and can seriously jeopardize their personal safety and emotional wellbeing.  If you believe you have been doxed or are being doxed, call the police.  There may also be civil remedies available to you.