Cyberstalking as a modern threat to public security: countermeasures in Russia and abroad

Information and telecommunication technologies in the modern world are becoming an important part of social reality, permeating all spheres of society. This trend in addition to unconditional progress in various sectors of life, also leads to the emergence of new challenges and threats, including the spread of various forms of cyberdeviance that pose a danger to the individual and society. The relevance of the problem under consideration is provided by statistics from Russian law enforcement agencies on the multiple increase in crimes in the field of computer information, published information from one of the leading companies in the field of information security on the number of victims of stalking on the Internet in different countries, as well as an increase in the number of identified applications aimed at stalking in virtual space. This article is devoted to the analysis of the phenomenon of cyberstalking, which is one of the most aggressive forms of manifestation of deviant behavior on the Internet, as well as to research of measures to counteract the problem under study used in various countries of the world. The methodological basis of the conducted research was the collection, systematization and analysis of materials of original scientific works in the field of the studied problems using specialized information search systems. A review of statistical data and legislative acts aimed at countering various manifestations of harassment have been also carried out. In particular, an analytical review was made of the current strategies for protecting the security of the population in the digital environment in countries such as the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Singapore, India, China, Japan, etc. The status of cyberstalking in the Russian Federation, as well as the existing countermeasures against it, was considered. Statistical data on the number of victims of cyberstalking, as well as their age and gender distribution are presented. Some characteristics of the persons carrying out the persecution and the means by which they usually act are indicated. An overview of the key elements of current strategies for protecting public safety in the digital environment in Europe, Asia and the United States is provided. The most widely used mechanisms for combating aggression in the network are identified which are part of the cybercrime counteraction system in most of the countries under consideration which may indicate a high level of their effectiveness. Such mechanisms include the criminalization of various forms of harassment in the virtual space, monitoring the degree of cybersecurity of users, constantly increasing the level of public awareness of existing risks on the Internet, specialized educational campaigns, providing free assistance to victims of harassment, etc. Based on the above, it was concluded that it is advisable to use the most effective measures to counter cyberstalking operating abroad to protect the Russian population in the virtual space.