Currently there are few laws that directly apply to cyber stalking but there are some general stalking laws that can help protect the victim. One such law is the federal law 18 U.S.C. 875. This law states its illegal to transmit any communication in interstate or foreign commerce containing a threat to injure the person of another. What the law doesn t tell you though is that the stalker must threaten your physical being. Thus simple harassment doesn t apply to this law.
Secondary harassment is another serious issue when discussing cyber stalking.
This is when a cyber stalker assumes the victims identity and solicits attention or harassment towards the victim. Currently there is work going on to write a Federal Internet Security Act that would address these issues but as of yet it is not completed. Adults aren t the only victims of cyber stalking. While obtaining information about adults is much easier than children they are still at risk. Without close parental supervision children may innocently give out personal information and make themselves the target of a cyber stalker.