Dox (also known as doxing, doxxing or dropping dox) is a way of searching and publicly broadcasting private or identifiable information about an individual or organization, typically with malicious intent. It is a form of online harassment, and is commonly used as a means of intimidation and coercion. It can be done through a variety of methods, including but not limited to public records, social media, dark web databases, and hacking.
The term “dox” is derived from the abbreviation “docs”, or documents. It originated as hacker slang and was popularized in the early 2000s, primarily by members of online forums and image boards.
The goal of doxing is typically to gather information on an individual or organization without their knowledge or consent. This information can then be used for a variety of reasons, including revenge, extortion, online abuse, and even blackmail.
In extreme cases, a dox can lead to physical harm and intimidation. Doxers have been known to post home addresses, phone numbers, family members, and even credit card numbers of their victims.
There are various ways to conduct doxing. It can range from simple searching of public records to complex tasks such as using search engine optimization techniques to find information on a person or an organization. Doxers often use social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to find out information and analyze conversations.
Recently, the concept of cyber vigilantism has come to the fore in the fight against doxing. This involves citizens coming together to coordinate and support efforts in the fight against doxing and similar activities that intrude on personal privacy.
Doxing is a serious issue that should be taken seriously. It can lead to great distress and harm, and it’s important that caution be exercised when engaging in activities like doxing online. Additionally, victims of doxing have recourse to take legal action, as there are both civil and criminal remedies available for those targeted.
