How to Prevent Doxxing When You’re a Content Creator

As a content creator on YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, Instagram and other platforms, your public presence can expose you to various risks, including the possibility of being doxxed (having your personal information exposed online). To help you navigate these challenges, this guide provides actionable steps to protect your privacy, maintain security, and respond effectively if you become a target.

 

1. Doxxing and Its Risks

Doxxing is the act of publicly revealing private information about an individual without their consent. This can include:

  • Full nameDoxxing risks
  • Home address
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Social media accounts
  • Financial information

Risks of Doxxing:

  • Harassment or stalking
  • Identity theft
  • Swatting (false emergency services calls)
  • Damage to reputation or career

 

2. Protect Your Personal Information

Maintain Anonymity Where Possible

  • Limit the Details You Share: While your real name is public, be cautious about revealing other identifying details, such as your home address, phone number, or birthdate. Keep sensitive information out of your content, even in casual mentions.
  • Create a Professional Alias: Consider using a professional alias for certain aspects of your work, like social media handles or email addresses, to add a layer of separation between your public and private lives.
  • Avoid Overlinking Personal Accounts: Minimize connections between your public content creation profiles and personal social media accounts. This helps prevent followers or malicious actors from digging deeper into your private life.

Secure Your Identity

  • Use Private Registration for Domains: If you own a website under your real name, ensure your domain registration is private to keep your contact information hidden.
  • Control What Appears in Your Content: Be mindful of what you show in your videos or posts. Avoid showing identifiable landmarks near your home, your vehicle’s license plate, or documents, mail with your address or family members’ details.

.Doxxing: Avoid showing identifiable landmarks near your home, your vehicle's license plate etc.

  • Be Careful with Metadata: Before uploading videos or photos, remove metadata that could expose your location or other personal details.

Protect Your Contact Information

  • Use a Business Email: Set up a separate business email for communication with your audience and sponsors, keeping your personal email private and secure.
  • Be Cautious with Public Contact Info: If you must share contact information publicly, consider using a P.O. box instead of your home address and a business phone number instead of your personal one.

 

3. Increase Your Online Security

Secure Your Accounts

  • Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Ensure your passwords are long, complex, and different for each account.
  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on your YouTube, email, and social media accounts for an extra layer of security.
  • Update Security Settings Regularly: Periodically review and update your privacy and security settings on all platforms.

Secure Your Devices

  • Install Antivirus Software: Protect your devices from malware and hacking attempts.
  • Regularly Update Software: Keep your operating systems, browsers, and apps updated to patch security vulnerabilities.
  • Use a VPN: When accessing the internet, especially on public Wi-Fi, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to mask your IP address.

 

4. Manage Your Online Presence

Monitor Your Information

  • Google Yourself Regularly: Search for your name and alias online to see what information is publicly available.
  • Set Up Alerts: Use Google Alerts to notify you if your name or other personal information is mentioned online.

Control Your Social Media

Social Media

  • Strategize Your Public Posts: While consistent posting is key to engaging your audience, be mindful of the details you share. Avoid posting content that reveals your location in real-time or other personal information. Use scheduled posts to maintain a presence without constantly broadcasting your current whereabouts.
  • Separate Personal and Professional Profiles: Keep your personal life private by using separate accounts for personal and professional activities. Your public accounts should be dedicated solely to your content creation, while your private accounts should remain restricted to trusted friends and family.
  • Limit Audience Access: Even as you grow your following, it’s important to control who can interact with your content. Regularly audit your follower lists and restrict access to people you don’t know personally. Use platform features like follower approvals or private stories for more controlled sharing.
  • Use Advanced Privacy Settings: Take advantage of the privacy settings on each social media platform to limit who can see your posts, tag you, or find you via search. Regularly review and update these settings to ensure you’re only sharing content with your intended audience.
  • Be Wary of Phishing and Scams: As a frequent poster, you’re more likely to be targeted by phishing scams. Be cautious about clicking links or downloading files sent through direct messages, especially from unfamiliar sources. Always verify the authenticity of communications before engaging.

 

5. Prevent Doxxing Through Content Management

Content Review

  • Blurring Sensitive Information: Use video editing software to blur sensitive details like your background, phone numbers, or documents that appear in your content.
  • Pre-Upload Checklist: Before publishing, review your video for any accidental disclosures of personal information.

Moderate Your Community

  • Monitor Comments and Messages: Be vigilant about monitoring your YouTube comments and messages for any doxxing attempts or threats.
  • Use Moderation Tools: Utilize YouTube’s moderation tools to filter out inappropriate content and automatically block certain keywords.

 

6. What Do I Do If I Got Doxxed?

Immediate Steps

  • Document the Doxxing: Take screenshots and save any URLs where your information is posted.
  • Report the Incident: Report doxxing to the platform (YouTube, social media, etc.) where the information was shared. Most platforms have specific policies against doxxing.
  • Contact Law Enforcement: If you feel threatened or believe you’re in danger, contact local law enforcement.

Contain the Information

Long-Term Protection

  • Update Security Measures: After a doxxing incident, update your passwords, 2FA settings, and privacy settings across all accounts.
  • Consider Legal Action: Consult with a lawyer about the possibility of taking legal action against the perpetrator.

Resources and Tools for Protection