Battling Digital Stalkers: My Disturbing Experience and Quest for Safety
In an increasingly connected world, the ease of technology can transform into a nightmare when privacy is compromised. Late last year, I found myself in a disconcerting situation that left me feeling vulnerable and fearful. It all began with peculiar occurrences on my devices, leading to suspicions that someone had gained unauthorized access to my computer and phone.
Unexplained actions were becoming the norm. My computer displayed odd behaviors: browser tabs would open on their own, music would play without my intervention, and the mouse cursor seemed to have a mind of its own. This wasn’t limited to my computer — my Android phone displayed similar strange activity. Icons would shift without my touch, and while casually scrolling through Reddit, the page would scroll on its own, rendering me bewildered.
One particularly alarming incident occurred when I returned home. As I approached my front door, a video began playing on my phone — a training clip featuring a boxer. I was startled because I hadn’t touched the phone since I was out, where I simply used the calculator to tally my grocery bill. It was impossible for me to have inadvertently opened multiple folders and triggered a video. Adding to my unease, while conversing with my cousin one day, I distinctly heard the sounds of phone numbers being dialed, accompanied by an unfamiliar voice mumbling in the background. It felt as if someone was eavesdropping on our conversation.
The situation escalated to the point where I decided to part with my computer. One day while using Firefox, I noticed “4chan” briefly flash on the screen, which raised my alarms. Upon checking my drives, I discovered that my D drive, previously empty, now housed 6.3GB of data I hadn’t downloaded, sparking fears about the potential for incriminating content being placed there — content that could lead to serious legal repercussions, regardless of my innocence.
In a desperate bid for security, I ditched my computer, cease all internet usage, and opted for a basic Alcatel phone, anticipating that this would reduce my vulnerability to hacking. Despite my attempts to stay off the grid, unsettling notifications like “Unknown Application” began appearing on my basic phone, accompanied by an uncanny clicking sound when locking and unlocking the device. Draft messages would vanish unexpectedly, further heightening my anxiety.
The fear extended to my cousin too. I worried that malware could have been transmitted from my compromised
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