Internet safety is a significant issue for everyone because our daily lives are increasingly tied to the digital world, where vast amounts of personal data are shared, stored, and potentially exploited. Cybercriminals take advantage of weak security practices to steal identities, commit fraud, and launch phishing scams, often with devastating financial and emotional consequences.
Additionally, online harassment, doxxing, and cyberstalking have become widespread, putting vulnerable groups at risk of real-world harm. As people rely more on digital platforms for communication, work, and social interaction, the threats to privacy, security, and even physical safety continue to grow, making internet safety a critical concern.
The internet offers sex workers a wide range of opportunities for business growth, client communication, and self-promotion. However, it also presents risks that must be carefully managed. From doxxing and online harassment to breaches of personal privacy, the challenges are unique and serious. Understanding how to stay safe online is crucial to maintaining control over your personal and professional boundaries.
Sex workers should be particularly concerned about internet safety due to the unique risks they face in their profession. They often navigate a stigmatized industry where exposure of their personal information can lead to severe consequences, including doxxing, harassment, or even physical violence. Many sex workers face threats from malicious clients or online stalkers who may attempt to track their real identities, leak private details, or blackmail them. Additionally, sex workers are vulnerable to financial scams and hacking attempts that could compromise their earnings. Maintaining strong internet safety practices helps protect their anonymity, privacy, and physical well-being, ensuring they can work with greater security and peace of mind.
Here are 10 practical tips for internet safety, focusing on protecting personal information, maintaining anonymity, and navigating the internet securely as a sex worker.
1. Maintain Anonymity Online
One of the most important steps for sex workers is to maintain anonymity. Many sex workers use pseudonyms or stage names, and it’s essential to create a clear separation between your work identity and personal life.
Use a Pseudonym or Stage Name
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Avoid using your real name in any public-facing profiles, websites, or online advertising. This includes social media accounts, escort profiles, and any communication with clients.
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If possible, create an entirely separate persona with its own social media accounts, email, and phone number, all of which are used solely for your work.
Separate Personal and Work Accounts
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Create different social media profiles for personal and professional use. Avoid connecting your work accounts to your real identity by keeping your social media, emails, and any other online services completely separate.
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Use services like Google Voice or apps like Hushed to get a second phone number that you can use exclusively for work. This way, your real phone number stays private.
Be Careful with Photos
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Even if you use a pseudonym, photos can reveal a lot of personal information. Be aware of geotagging in photos or metadata that might be embedded in your images. When uploading pictures, use metadata stripping tools (such as ImageOptim or EXIF Purge) to ensure you aren't sharing more than intended.
2. Use Secure Communication Tools
Sex workers often rely on digital communication to engage with clients, which makes secure messaging and calling a top priority.
Use Encrypted Messaging Apps
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Apps like Signal or WhatsApp (with encryption enabled) provide end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only you and the recipient can read the messages. This is vital for safeguarding conversations that might contain sensitive information.
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Be cautious about using traditional SMS or unencrypted platforms, as these can be easily intercepted or monitored.
Consider Using Disposable Contact Information
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Services like Google Voice allow you to create a temporary phone number to use with clients, helping you maintain privacy and minimize the risk of being tracked or harassed.
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For email, consider using a burner email account dedicated only to work contacts. You can use providers that focus on privacy and security, like ProtonMail, which offers end-to-end encryption.
3. Enhance Your Online Security
With cyber threats ever-evolving, having strong digital security practices is essential. From protecting your devices to maintaining secure accounts, you’ll want to take a multi-layered approach to safety.
Strong Password Management
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Create strong, unique passwords for every account you use. Avoid reusing passwords, especially for critical accounts like your email or social media.
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Use a password manager like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden to store and generate complex passwords. These tools make it easier to keep track of your passwords without compromising security.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
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Two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security to your accounts by requiring a second verification step—usually through an app like Google Authenticator, Authy, or a physical key like YubiKey. This ensures that even if someone steals your password, they cannot access your accounts without the second factor.
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Enable 2FA on all your critical accounts, including email, social media, and payment platforms.
Regularly Update Your Software
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Ensure your phone, computer, and apps are always updated to the latest version. Software updates often include important security patches, so staying up to date helps you avoid vulnerabilities that hackers may exploit.
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Use antivirus software and enable firewalls to protect your devices from malware or other online threats.
4. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address, making it much more difficult for anyone to track your online activities or pinpoint your location. This is particularly important for sex workers, who may face online stalking or doxxing threats.
How a VPN Helps
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By masking your IP address, a VPN makes it harder for websites or individuals to trace your physical location.
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It also protects your data on public Wi-Fi networks, which can be especially vulnerable to hacking.
Choosing a VPN
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When selecting a VPN, choose a provider that prioritizes privacy, such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or ProtonVPN. Be wary of free VPN services, as they may sell your data to third parties or offer less robust protection.
5. Use Disposable or Anonymous Payment Methods
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To avoid linking personal financial information to work, use anonymous or privacy-focused payment platforms like cryptocurrency or pre-paid debit cards. For platforms requiring traditional payments, consider setting up a business account under your work identity, keeping it separate from personal finances. Services like Cash App and Venmo allow you to create professional accounts under pseudonyms for added anonymity.
6. Set Up Alerts for Your Personal Information
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Use tools like Google Alerts or sites such as haveibeenpwned.com to monitor if your personal information (name, phone number, email) appears online. These alerts notify you when your information is mentioned, allowing you to take action quickly if your data is exposed.
7. Regularly Audit Your Online Footprint
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Perform periodic checks of what information about you is publicly accessible. Search your work name and real name to see what appears, and use privacy tools or services to remove personal information from websites or databases. Consider hiring an online reputation management service to help clean up any unwanted data.
8. Protect Your Online Presence
Managing how much of your personal information is available online is key to staying safe.
Limit What You Share on Social Media
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Be cautious about the personal information you share on social media, even on private accounts. Avoid posting anything that could connect your work identity to your real life. This includes geotagged posts, recognizable landmarks, or names of friends and family.
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Regularly audit your privacy settings on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Make sure your posts are only visible to people you trust.
Be Aware of Doxxing
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Doxxing—where someone publishes your private information online without your consent—can be a significant risk for sex workers. To reduce the chance of doxxing, keep personal and professional identities as separate as possible.
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If you feel you’ve been targeted by doxxing, contact the platform where your information was posted and request that it be removed. Some websites, like Google, have tools to help you request the removal of personal data from search results.
Remove Personal Information from Search Engines
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You can use tools like DeleteMe or other online privacy services to remove personal information from data broker websites. These services help scrub your data from public databases that could be used to reveal your personal details.
9. Watch for Phishing and Scams
Cybercriminals often target sex workers with phishing scams to steal personal information or money.
How to Spot Phishing Attempts
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Be wary of unsolicited messages asking for personal information or urging you to click on suspicious links. Scammers often pose as clients, promising large payments in exchange for services.
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If an email, message, or website seems suspicious, verify its authenticity by double-checking the sender’s details and hovering over links to see where they lead.
Avoid Clicking on Suspicious Links
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If a client sends a link for you to click on, especially if it comes from an unfamiliar source, verify it with the sender before clicking. Hackers often use fake URLs to steal your credentials or inject malware into your device.
10. Know Your Rights and Resources
If you're a sex worker facing online harassment, stalking, or threats, it's essential to know your rights and the resources available to you.
Legal Resources
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Many countries and states have specific laws against cyberstalking, doxxing, and online harassment. Contact a lawyer or a legal aid organization if you feel your safety is being compromised.
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Organizations such as Hacking//Hustling and the SWOP Behind Bars provide resources and support for sex workers, particularly regarding online safety.
Report Online Harassment
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If you're experiencing harassment, consider reporting it to the platforms involved. Many social media sites, including Twitter and Instagram, have policies against harassment and allow you to report abusive users.
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If the harassment escalates to threats of violence or the release of personal information, contact local law enforcement with an attorney and file a report.
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