Dealing with Digital Harassment: A Personal Journey from Stalking to Safety

In today’s hyper-connected world, our devices are an integral part of our lives—but what happens when they become instruments of fear? Recently, I experienced a harrowing situation in which I felt like I was being stalked by someone who gained unauthorized access to my computer and phone. I want to share my story and the steps I’ve taken to reclaim my privacy and security.

The Beginning of Unsettling Events

Last year, I started noticing unusual behavior on my devices. My computer began to act strangely—browser tabs would open and close on their own, songs would play spontaneously, and my mouse cursor moved as if guided by an unseen hand. It was unsettling to witness, but I initially brushed it off as a malfunction.

However, my Android phone mirrored this bizarre behavior. Icons started shifting positions on their own, and on occasions, Reddit pages would scroll down without me touching the screen. The final straw came when a boxing training video began to play unexpectedly as I stood at my front door, after returning home from a grocery trip. This scene was particularly alarming as I realized I hadn’t even touched my phone since leaving the bus.

Eerie Apparitions of Control

Additional incidents intensified my fears. While chatting with my cousin, I heard strange sounds of number dialing and mumbling in the background—not from our conversation, but as if someone else was listening in. This constant feeling of intrusion and vulnerability began to consume me.

The situation escalated rapidly, leading me to make the dramatic decision to dispose of my computer entirely. Upon opening Firefox one day, I fleetingly noticed “4chan” appear in the corner of the screen—an alarming sight for anyone, and certainly for me. To compound my concerns, I discovered unexplained data on my previously empty drive. The feeling that this hacker could frame me for serious crimes lingered like a dark cloud.

The Shift to Simplicity

In an effort to extricate myself from this digital chaos, I cut ties with my internet-enabled devices. I opted for a basic Alcatel phone with no internet access, believing that this would make hacking impossible. Yet, the ordeal persisted. Notifications labeled “Unknown Application” began popping up on my screen, and I experienced an oddly persistent clicking sound each time I locked or unlocked the phone. Even more disconcerting, draft messages disappeared inexplicably.

I maintained frequent communication with my cousin, yet