What is the Best VPN and Cybersecurity Tool for Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims? →Surfshark
How Survivors Can Hide their: Identity, Name, Address and Number Online and protect themselves long term
“Domestic abusers often use victims’ digital presence and online activities to:
track their location, monitor their activities, or reestablish contact.
A combination of security practices can be used to help prevent abusers from accessing someone’s digital life,
and robust cybersecurity software is a great place to start.”
“Security Tools and Best Practices for Survivors of Domestic Violence”
VPN Services that Protect Survivors by implementing a comprehensive digital safety and security plan are hard to find.
- Introducing Surf Shark One+ with their very practical and effective: Alternate ID and Alternate Number features
- At the end of the article, I go over a few practical situations*,
where these services will make your life safer and easier.
*I asked artificial intelligence how its services would help a victim hide from their stalker-abuser and the results were enlightening!
Target Audience:
- A) Victims who are escaping now and need to:
-Create quick online aliases (complete with a fake name, email and address)
-Use a burner number to be contacted on and receive/make texts with.
-Remove their personal information from data brokers, google and people finder websites
- B) Privacy Advocates: who want to improve digital protection for themselves from data breaches and increase their overall online privacy
-The Tactical Victim-
A New Mindset, a New Way of Life 🔒
📝Note: I have no business affiliation with them and have not used the product
VPN Basic’s:
There are many Virtual Private Networks that offer a variety of basic privacy and security features.
They do help hide your location (while browsing online) and protect your data over wifi, which offers some basic help.
Some offer very fancy features and tools too.
Most of these features unfortunately don’t add much value to domestic abuse and stalking victims.
False Assumptions
Many victims will (mistakenly) rely on a VPN (alone) as a “all in one” solution.
We become desperate for help after having dealing with situations requiring us to:
- Have a restraining order on a stalker
- Hide out in a domestic violence shelter (often for a limited period of time)
- Deal with digital or financial abuse in their ongoing abuse or stalking case
- Not getting practical “how to” advice or tools, from those they are requesting help from
The authors from, “In Sensible Privacy: How We Can Protect Domestic Violence Survivors Without Facilitating Misuse” emphasize the need for
“Design privacy solutions that work straight out of the box”
with a “set of mechanisms that complement each other
in anticipation of potential attack vectors”.
The Problem with using ONLY VPN’s to Protect Victims?
Effective cyber-stalking prevention must protect us from multiples types of abuse and methods used by our abusers for digital stalking.
✋🏽The article, “Antivirus and VPNs for Domestic Violence Survivors”, reminds us that: “they are not a standalone solution” as we have to “make privacy a habit” when in comes to securing our online identity (rainn.org).
Once the stalker has your number or email, sometimes that is enough for them to find you, or at least know how to contact you.
⚠️ One Warning
-I cant find the exact spot online or wording of this-
“Surfshark’s GPS spoofing feature may not effectively trick stalker or (related stalker apps)
While it can mask your IP address and simulate a different GPS location, many-tracking apps can still detect your actual location through other method-when a VPN is active.
⚠ Users have reported issues with location errors while using Surfshark for spoofing, indicating that it might not work reliably for circumventing what your abuser may be using to track you.
⚠ Therefore, relying solely on Surfshark for privacy against stalker apps may not be sufficient.” ⚠️
Time and Resources
⌛ For every 1 hour they spend looking for us, often requires 3–4 hours (or more) for victims to spend trying to protect themselves.
this is not including the time it takes learning all the different ways we get found and then what we are doing that got us found.
Besides the draining effect this has on us psychologically and physiologically..
Online harassment and stalking can lead to physical harm.
⚠️ Women who are stalked by a former partner are 10 times more likely to be killed than those who are not stalked. (American Journal of Public Health, 2003)
The More Automatic, the Better
A victim’s long term safety requires an app that can prevent abusers from finding this information online in the first place.
✅A data broker removal service, like Incongi (which is provided in Surfsharks one+ plan),
helps protect us from data brokers,
automatically and in the background,
with out us having to contact hundreds of data brokers,
to request the removal of our information.
Solutions to Creating A Digital Safety Plan
One of the many fears domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking survivors have, is addressing how they use the internet
(especially when needing to fill out forms, provide a name, address or contact information).
I asked myself many times, “How can I hide (this exact information) from my abuser-stalker?”, initially, with no avail.
⬇
Surfshark’s One+ plan, Alternate number and Identity, drastically helps those dealing with an obsessive stalker and digital abuse with the above challenges as well.
📄 →One important note, I have Not used Surfshark.
I have not tested it out myself (many others have though).
AllAboutCookies.com says:
“Surfshark offers more than just a VPN,
it has plans that provide all-in-one protection.”
I wish I had it when I first escaped as it would have helped reduce some of my worry and stress.
Because the “Benefits of Surfshark Alternative ID” include:
Protecting “Your Real Identity” by:
“Using throwaway email addresses shields your primary email from potential data breaches”
and
allowing you to have multiple profiles
“without needing separate accounts or complicated management.”
If you’re asking yourself which VPN is best for domestic violence and stalking victims, I have an easy answer for you:
- Surfarks One+ Plan (and two privacy tools) can greatly enhance IPV (intimate partner violence) victims safety plan and escape.
There are 3 different Tiers for Surfshark.
- To simplify and maximize your security:
→“products should be user-friendly and easy to operate”
because we “survivors need solutions that they can quickly learn to use”
-Pacific Security Group: Empowering Domestic Violence Survivors with Security Solutions
- ✅ One+ Plan meets these requirements.
- I strongly recommend this plan to any of you who are escaping (it may help save your life).
📝Purchase Note→Their Alternate Number Service,
(which is Very Helpful)
“is sold separately on top of any Surfshark plan.”
-Tom’s Guide said it ranges from “$2.99 to $4.99 per month”*
- 💡*this offers a number that you can receive calls on (which you can answer, but not call from). It also receives and lets you send texts.
📝 💵 Note→Most Paid VOIP Services (quality calls), cost alot more than surfsharks $2–4 alternate number plan.
These VoIP services, also don’t offer all the features Surfsharks One+ Package does.
📱 Burner numbers usually require you to buy a new phone and data plan.
— (text me app which is free, is an exception, but has low call quality).
🔒 Surfshark’s plan offers a more holistic security ecosystem and makes it easier on the escapee🔒
🢃[I include a free way to get similar protection, at the bottom of the article]🢃
✅️ Surf Shark One+ and Alternate Number Pro’s
🟢Pricing and Holistic Protection:
- Take a look at what you get for the price (with a 2 year plan, it’s pretty darn good, at just over $4 a month..make that about $6 with the Alternate number feature)
- It includes a highly rated Data Broker Removal service, Incogni.
- Their VPN is highly rated too (good for when your using public wifi)
- It’s antivirus is rated as Good by PC Mag.
🟢 It’s a darn good, near “all in one” service.
*An antivirus, provided you have new electronic devices and your abuser can not contact you, is not as important in keeping your safe and unfound, as the other services surfshark offers.
✋🏾Some of Surfshark Suites Limitations
-It offers only USA numbers for now.
(I don’t think you can choose the area code, but you can change the Alternative Number for free every 30 days.)
🚫It does not support verification codes (it’s not meant for official uses-like banks)
🚫It does not offer masked debit cards for purchases online, like Privacy.com does.
- 💵 To set up your Alternative ID, you need to have an active Surfshark subscription plan.
💡Please Remember, Despite any feature or service you have:
Your Own — Habits, Behaviors, Mindset and Decisions (OPSEC), are what critical to your Long Term Safety
“you are the first line of defense”
-How VPN Limitations Can Affect Your Privacy: www.avoidthehack.com
🟡 We will still need to be mindful with what we write on paper, in person conversations and possibly some other online services.
All that said:
Surfshark’s One+ and Alternate Number, helps significantly by offering you:
✅️ Less Burden + Less Stress which =
More Time, Freedom, an easier escape and your mental health longevity.
The Victims Perspective on Fear and Security
One of the most terrifying experiences for me after I escaped, was putting down personal information, online or anywhere else. (Heart racing, sweating)
I didn’t want to give (especially my location+name) to anyone or anything.
I feared it would end up in my abusers hands (literally or digitally).
Some victims are found many times and don’t know why.
Information Slowly Building
Our phone numbers or addresses (that we had to put in one form or website, maybe three months ago), can populate on data brokers and people finder sites.
“Working around” giving this information is sometimes a near impossible task
-especially when you’re panicked, in the middle of escaping and haven’t had the time or energy-to set up a new/alternative address.
It’s also exhausting..
It’s so exhausting, I can’t think of any specific situations it would help with off the top of my head.
I Just Know it would help ALOT!
💡 Scenarios: Security in Practice💡
How Does SurfShark’s Alternative Identity and Number, Help Victims Out?
Perplexity AI can help victims of abuse:
I asked Perplexity AI*(I will *asterisk everything it said) to give me a few examples of situations Surfshark One+ and Alternative ID and Number, would help.
Examples Perplexity AI Gave Me:
*A) Communicating Safely
*The Alternative Number feature allows victims to have a separate phone number for calls and texts, keeping their real number private**
**your real number, will show your area code/county. They often leak to people finder sites, unless you take extra measures to hide it.
Given “Messages and calls come through via the Surfshark app (through the internet), they can reply to text messages and speak on the phone”
-you just can’t make calls (💡use *67 with your google voice number, to hide your area code and number).
*Their online number enables them to communicate with support services, legal help, or trusted contacts.
My Thoughts:
Yes, I would agree (be mindful of the 🟡area code of the number Surfshark gives you, it shouldn't match the state you live in).
🟢As long as the other party is willing to call you (it wont allow you to make calls), this should work!
*B)Subscribing to Newsletters or Services
*Victims can use the Alternative ID email to sign up for: informational resources, support groups, or services related to their situation without risking their real email being exposed.
My Thoughts:
What’s great about this, is signing up for the above services is also one of the many ways online digital cookies collect your information and eventually sell it to advertisers, data brokers and thus allowing them to land in people finder sites.
*Minimizing Online Stalking
*🟢The ability to generate multiple alternative identities makes it difficult for stalkers to track the victim’s online activities across different platforms.
- essentially this is the concept of having an online identity(s) that is different from your in person identity
- 🟢Having multiple emails, numbers and names, makes it very hard to identify if one profile if of you or someone else.
🟡 there are some risks still (such as using your real pictures or having very specific niche interests, accidental putting your real name down on a social media post).
⚠️ If you have very specific/niche interests, or you use your actual picture for some type of online website, there still are other ways you can be found.
🚫 This which is why I recommend for those escaping during the first year or two, NOT to have any social media or online identities at all.
*Online shopping
(This is one area I have not fully figured out yet. I think Surfshark would help, in addition to a:
-virtual or prepaid debit card,
-and an address not tied to your name
I asked ChatGPT for help with this and their 4–O version, gave me this answer:
“In addition to Amazon Locker and UPS Access Points, here are some other options for anonymous package delivery:
🗒 Note: I am not familiar with Amazon Locker or UPS Access Points, so please do your own research on the topic. -These may or may not be viable ways to avoid using your name.
1. **PO Box**:
Rent a PO Box using minimal personal information, but note that ID may be required.
→My Note: A Private Mail Box may work too, or a Temporary Address with USPS Post Office.
2. **Friends or Family**:
Ship to a trusted person’s address.
🗒 →My Note:Just make sure you don’t put them in danger.
3. **Package Receiving Services**:
Use services like Mailboxes Etc. or other local package receiving businesses.
🗒→My Note:Victims can use AI tools like ChatGPT or perplexity AI, and ask it “what other services like ‘Mailboxes Etc. or other local package receiving businesses’ can I use, that don’t requite my name or real address?”
🗒 or, stalking and domestic violence victims can also ask AI tools and apps “how would I send mail to a mail service in one state, that allows me to forward it to another?”
👇
4. **Virtual Mailbox Services**:
Services like Anytime Mailbox or iPostal1 can receive packages and forward them to you.
⚠️5. **Workplace or School**:
Ship to your office or educational institution, ensuring discretion.
⚠️My concern with this last one, is if the order was looked up or found-and somehow tied to you (maybe a due to a mistake you made),
the abuser/stalker would then be able to figure out this is where you worked or went to school.
More about How to use Surfshark’s Privacy and Anonymity Tools
A) What is their Alternative ID?
“All Surfshark subscriptions include access to the Alternative ID feature.
-This tool lets you randomly generate a fake name, date of birth and home address* to use each time you’re asked to provide one online.”
*As a victim of abuse/stalking, you should never give out your home address.**
Use:
However, sometimes websites needs you to put “something” for whatever your doing to work.
🔒Protecting Your Identity:
-you may not want to use a PO Box, or your virtual address, as it may be tied to your name
Surf shark solves this problem ✅️
**Data brokers can collect this information when your filling out information online on websites.
What makes Alternative Number so unique?
It actually Works!
“The fake phone number generated on request.. actually works and can even be linked to an Alternative ID profile.”
🢃Free Tools for a Similar Result🢃
I have found ChatGPT (chat), if a use for tool for domestic violence and stalking victims.
The Tactical Victim’s (T.T.V.) Question to Chat:
“I don’t have the money for Surfshark one+, what are some free services and tools they can use, that offer similar protection and services, that Surfshark offers?
Chat’s Answer:
“Free VPNs
- Proton VPN Free: Offers unlimited bandwidth and strong privacy features.
- Windscribe Free: Provides 10GB of data per month with access to multiple servers.
Free Antivirus
- Avast Free Antivirus: Comprehensive protection against malware and other threats.
Free Data Removal Services
- JustDelete.me: Provides links and instructions for removing accounts from various services.
-(T.T.V.): Michael Bazzel’s Free Data Removal Guide
Free Privacy Tools
- Privacy Badger: Browser extension that blocks trackers.
-(T.T.V.): Ghostery’s Browser Extension
Free Alternative ID Services
- Temp Mail: Provides temporary, disposable email addresses.
- Google Voice: Offers free phone numbers for calls, texts, and voicemail.”
-(T.T.V.): Mail.com and Text Me App (Google voice works really well, so I would use it for your day to day calls, and text me for your aliases)
Simple Login is another tool to mask your email.
However, I found it a bit confusing and it appears to only change your email (at least for now)
Conclusion
Overall, Surfsharks, One+, alternative ID and Alternative Number tools are really great to have for a domestic violence, stalking or abuse victims to have.
For a victim who’s trying to escape and remain unfound, I would recommend signing up for them immediately (once you’ve escaped, and are certain your devices are safe and not connected to your old devices and apps).
I wish I had these tools available to me when I was escaping, as it would made my life a hole lot easier.
If you need to order online and want to mask your card, check out Privacy.com, or get a prepaid card from a place like Walmart.
Free Data Broker Scans:
- I talk about Mozilla’s Data Broker cleaning service
(and others that are better).
-Mozilla also offer a free data broker scan. - Google also offers ways to remove your information too.
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Thank you all for your support.
-The Tactical Victim-
A New Mindset, a New Way of Life 🔒
🔒 Contact me at my privacy focused Relay Email:
jkwj4vrbc@mozmail.com
-Just copy and paste that into the “send to” section and I will get the email
(I know it looks odd)🔒
