Cyberstalking: Real Threats in the Virtual World

In the modern world, information and telecommunications technologies permeate all spheres of society, greatly simplifying and making life more comfortable. However, the achievements of rapid scientific and technological progress have, unfortunately, also been exploited for criminal purposes. Today, our entire life is possible in virtual space: remote work, videoconferencing for communication, ordering goods and services on marketplaces, online banking, and much more. Official statistics indicate an increase in the use of modern information technologies. Moreover, they are becoming increasingly sophisticated every year. Attackers are finding new loopholes and vulnerabilities in gadgets’ software and hardware security to implement their criminal plans. To evade responsibility or maintain anonymity for extended periods, cybercriminals are actively using cyberspace. This article analyzes the state of crime in a relatively new context — cyberstalking. The study analyzed approaches to combating this phenomenon in Russian and international practice, identified the reasons for the rise in this type of crime, and reviewed international countermeasures. Based on this comprehensive analysis, measures for the prevention and control of cyberstalking in the Russian Federation are proposed.