How to Deal With Stalking and Unauthorized Access to Your Devices: A Personal Account

In today’s digital age, the security of our devices is paramount. Unfortunately, not all of us are immune to the terrifying experience of being targeted by a stalker or hacker. I recently found myself in this unsettling situation, grappling with the fear of someone gaining unauthorized access to both my computer and phone. Here’s my story, and what I’ve learned while trying to regain control over my digital life.

The Awakening: Strange Happenings

My ordeal began late last year when I noticed unusual behaviors on my computer and phone. At first, it was subtle—browser tabs seemed to open on their own, songs started playing randomly on iTunes, and my mouse cursor began moving as if guided by an unseen hand. My Android phone wasn’t spared either; I found icons shifting positions autonomously, and the pages I was browsing on Reddit would scroll down without my intervention.

The most alarming incident occurred when I returned home one day. As I approached my front door and reconnected to my Wi-Fi, my phone inexplicably began playing a video of a boxer training—something I had not accessed recently. Confused, I realized I had left the phone off while traveling, yet multiple folders had inexplicably opened, culminating in that video playing without my consent. Conversations with friends only deepened my concerns when I heard strange, unexplainable sounds of button pressing while talking to my cousin.

Taking Action: The Decision to Disconnect

The fear reached new heights when I discovered a suspicious website’s name briefly appearing on my Firefox browser. Additionally, my computer’s D drive—previously empty—suddenly contained 6.3GB of unknown data. It dawned on me that someone could exploit this access to plant illegal content on my computer, leaving me vulnerable to serious legal ramifications.

Upon these discoveries, I made the drastic decision to eliminate the risk altogether; I disposed of my computer, disconnected from the internet, and switched to a basic Alcatel phone devoid of any internet capability. Yet, surprise—my peace was short-lived. I began to receive unsettling notifications such as “Unknown Application,” despite the phone having no internet connection or app store. I even heard odd clicking sounds when locking and unlocking the device, and draft messages were mysteriously disappearing.

The Fear of Malware Spread

Throughout this saga, I remained in constant communication with my cousin, but I