There are many kinds of online harassment out there, from the annoying (rude comments made by online trolls) to the invasive (doxing) to the traumatic (cyberstalking threats of violence, and everything in between.

Many workers do their work using the computer and the Internet. Increasingly Internet harassment is being identified as a concern at work, at home and at school.

Internet harassment, also referred to as “cyberbullying”, is the term used to describe the use of the Internet to harass, threaten, or maliciously embarrass. It can involve behaviours such as:

• Sending unsolicited and/or threatening e-mail.
• Encouraging others to send the victim unsolicited and/or threatening e-mail or to overwhelm the victim with e-mail messages.
• Sending viruses by e-mail (electronic sabotage).
• Spreading rumours.
• Making defamatory comments about the victim online.
• Sending negative messages directly to the victim.
• Impersonating the victim online by sending an inflammatory, controversial or enticing message which causes others to respond negatively to the victim.
• Harassing the victim during a live chat.
• Leaving abusive messages online, including social media sites.
• Many workers do their work using the computer and the Internet. Increasingly Internet harassment is being identified as a concern at work, at home and at school.

Internet harassment, also referred to as “cyberbullying”, is the term used to describe the use of the Internet to harass, threaten, or maliciously embarrass. It can involve behaviours such as:

Sending unsolicited and/or threatening e-mail.

Encouraging others to send the victim unsolicited and/or threatening e-mail or to overwhelm the victim with e-mail messages.

Sending viruses by e-mail (electronic sabotage).

Spreading rumours.

Making defamatory comments about the victim online.

Sending negative messages directly to the victim.

Impersonating the victim online by sending an inflammatory, controversial or enticing message which causes others to respond negatively to the victim.

Harassing the victim during a live chat.

Leaving abusive messages online, including social media sites.

Sending the victim pornography or other graphic material that is knowingly offensive.

Creating online content that depicts the victim in negative ways.

While every situation is different, in general, steps to help prevent cyberbullying can include:

Use a gender neutral e-mail address if you have a choice.

Make your e-mail password at least twelve (12) characters long and make sure that it is a combination of capital and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. The best passwords don't spell anything and don't follow a logical pattern.

Change your password frequently.

Watch for “red-flags”, for example someone asking where you live or where you work.

Be very cautious about meeting online acquaintances in person. If you choose to meet, do so in a public place and take along a friend or business associate.

Set up two e-mail accounts. One used for business correspondence and one that has another name for use in discussion groups, etc. Change or cancel your secondary account if you start receiving too much unwanted mail.

If you want to remain anonymous, DO NOT list your e-mail address on any Web pages or give your e-mail address when filling out forms on Web pages unless necessary.

Discuss your safety and privacy with your Internet Service Provider. Seek their help and advice.

Make sure your Internet Service Provider, discussion groups and chat networks have an Acceptable Use Policy (no harassment permitted) and that the policy is enforced by the administrator of the site.

DO NOT

Do not tell anyone your password.

Do not share personal information in e-mail -- even e-mail addressed to a trusted individual.

Do not share personal information in public spaces anywhere online, nor give it to strangers, including in chat rooms.

Do not leave your computer logged in and unattended.

Limit the information you share in your "out of office" message to the dates of your absence and who to contact. Don't broadcast that you are on vacation or on work-related travel.

Do not attack or insult anyone while participating in discussion groups. If you disagree with the person, state your position objectively and factually.

If someone is harassing you by e-mail:

If the harasser is known to you, make it clear that you do not want him or her to contact you again.

Once you have told a known harasser not to contact you again, or if you are receiving harassing e-mail from someone you do not know, block or filter messages from the harasser. Many e-mail programs have a filter feature that will automatically delete or place e-mails from a particular e-mail address or that contain offensive words into a separate folder.

DO NOT reply to unsolicited, harassing or offensive e-mail if the harasser is not known to you. By responding, you confirm that your e-mail address is valid and active.

DO NOT open attachments as they may contain viruses.

In a discussion group:

Keep a log of any harassing activity.

Save all offending communications for evidence, both electronically and in hard copy (print). DO NOT edit them in any way.

Contact the group's administrator and provide evidence of the harassment. If they fail to respond, stop participating in the group (i.e., have your e-mail removed from the group's distribution list).

In a live chat situation:

Log off or surf elsewhere. If the situation causes you to fear for your safety or that of others, contact your local police or law enforcement agency.

Keep a log of any harassing activity.

Save all offending communications for evidence, both electronically and in hard copy (print). DO NOT edit them in any way.

Contact the group's administrator and provide evidence of the harassment. If they fail to respond, stop participating in the group.

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