Cyberstalking is a threat that affects individuals in the online universe on a daily basis. From harassing emails to chat conversations that tend to go a bit too far, parents and close friends are coming forward in defense of young children and adults to put a stop to a growing problem on the information super highway. Some federal officials, however, are not taking a full stance on the idea of "online bullying" for they do not see words in an electronic format being as threatening to a person as the actual following and harassing found in a stalking scenario. Most states, unfortunately, tend to focus their attention more on the cases in which physical harm or threat of harm require a need for the law to step in and take force against the perpetrator .

These online stalkers, who truly believe in their heart that the online world is a safe haven for keeping their identity a secret, are basically the same sort of individuals you would find performing acts of regular stalking. Pedophiles now take to chat rooms the same way they would venture around schools during the afternoon. Criminals now take to poker sites and harass people in a similar fashion as if they were standing behind someone at an ATM. The internet has opened up a whole new world to these criminals and their ingenious minds of evil. With laws being so new regarding these situations, the sky is the limit as to what the can accomplish against the innocent.

Cyberstalking can find its way into your life in the simplest ways imaginable. There are, however, many ways that an individual can protect themselves and families in today’s digital age. Below are a few tips in protecting your internet against the harms of stalking

• Avoid posting personal information in online social networks

• Be aware of posting anything personal in chats and forums

• Verify any offers online with the Better Business Bureau before automatically signing up.

• Install filtering programs to avoid children from posting personal family information on the internet.

These tips above will hopefully bring a peace of mind to yourself and your family in today’s world. Cyberstalking is a crime that can be prevented as long as you take heed of whom you are talking to and doing business with on the internet.