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Dox Defense Resources
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Dox Defense
“Doxing (or doxxing) is the internet-based practice of researching, documenting, and broadcasting PII (private or personally identifiable information) about an individual or organization to harass and traumatize activists. Additionally, such attacks can also be accompanied by physical violence, intimidation, psychological harassment, weaponized unreality, and disinformation about an individual and/or a movement—all of which have serious implications for our livelihoods and safety.”–Equality Labs, “De-Doxing Guide for Activists”
Preventative Measures:
Doxing happens when malicious actors can find personally identifiable information online. Protecting oneself from doxing starts by reducing the amount of private information that can be found. The first step is to tighten our privacy settings; follow the tips on our Digital Security Resources. You should also contact all three credit reporting bureaus (Transunion, Equifax, and Experian) to set up a fraud alert or credit freeze so malicious actors can’t set up accounts in your name. More on that here.
The second step is removing personally identifiable information made available by online data brokers. While there is no federal regulation to protect your data, many companies will remove your information from their public databases upon request. See Privacy Guides’ Data Removal Services, and check whether your email has been part of a data breach. It’s also a good idea to set up a Google Alert for yourself with any personal information to keep track of where that information is posted.
You can also dox yourself to see what sensitive personal information you have that is easily searchable online. Digital Defense offers some guidance.
Aaron Roussell and Max Parmer at Portland State University created a Guide to Online Safety for Academics with specific recommendations for doxing mitigation.
Library Freedom Project offers an anti-doxing in academia toolkit with recommendations on preventative measures and steps to take if you’re the target of harassment.
If You’ve Been Doxed:
The Coalition Against Online Violence, a project of the International Women’s Media Foundation and the International Center for Journalists, hosts a response hub and offers a few emergency steps.
Digital Defense has a Guide for the Doxed with 11 steps to recover your peace of mind.
The ACLU has some guidelines to defend against doxing and online harassment.
Equality Labs is a Dalit-led, feminist, digital security, technology, and political organizing startup dedicated to progressive power-building. They provide practical tools for activists and a comprehensive Anti-Doxing Guide for Activists.
Be sure to check out the CDAF Digital Security Resources as well.
