CYBER STALKING INTRODUCTION Cyber stalking is a form of computer related crime.

Cyber stalking occurs when a person is followed and pursued on line. Their privacy is invaded, it is a form of harassment that can disrupt the life of the victim and leave them feeling very afraid and threatened. Cyber Stalking usually occurs with women, who are stalked by men, or children who are stalked by adult predators or pedophiles. Typically, the cyber stalker's victim is new on the web, and inexperienced with the rules of netiquette and internet safety. It is believed that over 75% of the victims are female, but sometimes men are also stalked. This project paper focuses on the forms of cyber stalking, types of stalkers, victims and legislations in relation to cyber stalking in India and aboard. FORMS OF CYBER STALKING Email Stalking is one of the most common forms of harassment, including hate, obscene, or threatening mail. Internet Stalking Stalkers can more comprehensively use the Internet in order to slander and endanger their victims. In such cases, the cyber stalking takes on a public, rather than a private, dimension. What is particularly disturbing about this second form of cyber stalking is that it appears to be the most likely to spill over into physical space. Computer Stalking A cyber stalker can communicate directly with their target as soon as the target computer connects in any way to the Internet. The stalker can assume control of the victims computer and the only defensive option for the victim is to disconnect and relinquish their current Internet address. TYPES OF STALKERS Rejected stalker has had an intimate relationship with the victim (although occasionally the victim may be a family member or close friend), and views the termination of the relationship as unacceptable. Their behavior is characterized by a mixture of revenge and desire for reconciliation. Intimacy seekers attempt to bring to fruition a relationship with a person who has engaged their desires, and who they may also mistakenly perceive reciprocates that affection. Incompetent suitors tend to seek to develop relationships but they fail to abide by social rules governing courtship. They are usually intellectually limited and/or socially incompetent. Resentful stalkers harass their victims with the specific intention of causing fear and apprehension out of a desire for retribution for some actual or supposed injury or humiliation.

Predatory stalkers who stalk for information gathering purposes or fantasy rehearsal in preparation for a sexual attack.

MOTIVATION BEHIND STALKING Sexual Harassment is not a surprising one, usually for women which is common experience offline. Obsession for love, it could also be an online romance that moves to real life, only to break-up once the persons really meet Revenge and Hate this could be an argument that has gone out of hand, leading eventually to a hate and revenge relationship. Ego and Power Trips these are harassers or stalkers online showing off their skills to themselves and their friends. VICTIMS The Internet is becoming more of an entire family communication center, which is opening up many more victims to be stalked. The thing to remember is that a stalker is someone that wants to be in control. A stalker is not going to pick a victim that is equal to them. This keeps the victim submissive. The main targets are the "new to the Internet", females, children, emotionally unstable, etc. LEGISLATIONS Jurisdictions across the globe are now beginning to take legal action against stalking behavior, recognizing it as a public problem which merits attention. In Indias first case of cyber stalking, a man was arrested for using a woman name in a website, used obscene and obnoxious language, and distributed her residence number, inviting people to chat with on her phone, which resulted in obscene calls going to the women. The police department took action and arrested him under section 509 of IPC. CONCLUSION With internet being integrated into almost every part of human life, it is not a solution to simply suggest that turning off the computer will solve the problem. Internet users must learn to protect themselves from the dangers of internet based crimes, such as cyber stalking.

REFRERENCES Bocji Paul, Victims of cyber stalking: An exploratory study of harassment, vol 8, 10 (2003) Gilbert, On Space, Sex and Stalkers, Women and Performance, vol. 17 (1999) Indianchild.com Cyber Crime in India: Cyber Stalking (2005) Jenson Cyber Stalking: Crime, Enforcement and Personnel Responsibility in online world (2004) Petherick Cyber Stalking: Obsessional pursuit and digital criminal (1999) Tjaden The Crime Of Stalking: How Big Is The Problem? (2006)