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How did Doxing become a tool of terror in the online world? From hacker culture in the 1990s to today's global problem
With the rapid development of the Internet, the protection of personal privacy has encountered unprecedented challenges. Doxing (also known as doxxing) is widely used in various online disputes. It damages the reputation and personal safety of others by disclosing personal information. This term can be traced back to the hacker culture of the 1990s. Through simple information aggregation or complex data intrusion, doxing has gradually evolved into a global problem, and the boundaries between ethics and law have become increasingly blurred.
The origin of Doxing
Doxing is derived from a spelling variation of the word "docs," which refers to the collection and disclosure of personal data. The roots of this behavior can be traced back to the hacker culture of the 1990s, when hackers retaliated by revealing the identities of their opponents. They attack their targets by destroying their anonymity, which gives doxing a negative color from start to finish.
“Doxing is often seen as a means of revenge for leaking privacy.”
Historical background
In fact, the act of disclosing personal information for exposure has existed long before the Internet era. Recalling the protests over the Stamp Act of 1765, radical groups at the time also published the names of tax collectors in newspapers and pamphlets. In the early days of online forums, the doxing phenomenon intensified. For example, in the late 1990s, users in Usenet chat rooms began circulating lists of suspected Nazis.
"The concept of doxing first attracted public attention on Usenet forums in the 1990s."
doxware: a new horror tool
A further development of doxing is the emergence of doxware, a form of ransomware attack based on malware. The victim's information may be disclosed without paying the ransom, which is completely different from traditional ransomware. It is potentially more dangerous and puts the victim's privacy at great risk.
Common techniques of doxing
Doxing is not just a simple disclosure of information, it also implies a variety of harassment techniques, such as fake subscriptions, malicious letters, or even mobilizing SWAT teams to attack victims. These behaviors are not only an invasion of personal privacy, but also a threat to the victim's life safety, causing the victim to have to endure greater psychological pressure.
“Assuming that the police are dispatched due to false alarms, it poses a great threat to social and public safety.”
Services against doxing
With the frequent occurrence of doxing incidents, many companies and organizations have begun to provide anti-doxing services, including strengthening network security and personal privacy protection. Experts suggest that it is particularly important for everyone to maintain awareness of network security and conduct self-checks. Regularly retrieving personal information and locking unnecessary disclosure of information can effectively deal with the threat of doxing.
Legislative progress
Countries around the world are working hard to stop the spread of doxing. Australia and some European countries have begun to enact tough laws to combat doxing. Even so, the problem remains widespread, especially in the United States, where the lack of clear federal protection laws allows many doxing incidents to go unpunished.
“There are only a few laws in the United States that can target doxing, but their effectiveness still needs to be strengthened.”
Reflections on the future
With the popularity of social media, the behavior of doxing has become more common, and many people have ignored the protection of their own privacy. In this era of information explosion, how to strike a balance between safeguarding personal privacy and promoting social transparency will be an important issue we must face in the future.
In the face of the growing risk of doxing, can we find effective solutions to protect personal privacy while maintaining freedom and transparency in society?
