So you’re worried about being swatted.
If someone on the Internet doesn’t like you, all they have to do is find out where you live, call your local police station and fool the cops into believing there is a life-or-death situation happening at your home. This is called “swatting” and it’s gathering steam in certain parts of the Internet (especially in the gaming world). It’s easier than you’d imagine and incredibly dangerous; cops go into these situations assuming there are hostages or an armed crazy person and become primed for a violent confrontation.
On the latest episode of our podcast, "Reply All," we talked both to police and to victims of swatting. But the downside of reporting on swatting is that you also give more idiots the idea to go out and swat someone. So as a public service, the amazing Al Rotches created this infographic to help you, a potential swatting victim, protect yourself.
How Can You Avoid Being Swatted?
Be careful with your personal information online.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but there are a number of ways that your information can make its way onto the Internet, and many of them are in no way your fault.
Don’t post your address and phone number online. This is easy, in theory, but it can take some effort. There are a number of third-party information sites that will sell your information to anybody for relatively cheap. Here are some of the most popular sites, and ways to opt out1:
LexisNexis (Requires police report)
Zabasearch (Requires you to fax an ID to them)
Keep your IP address private.
Your IP address is a unique set of numbers that help computers recognize each other. There are plenty of services that will allow potential swatters to use your IP address to find your approximate location. If they get their hands on other personal information, your IP address will help them get something close to an address. If you use Skype, your IP address is easily obtainable by default. Follow these instructions to make it more difficult.
Use two-factor authentication on all your accounts.
Two-factor authentication is a combination of a username/password and a device that only the user would have on them, like their cell phone. Once the password is entered, a second piece of verification is required, like a code sent to your phone. It’s not perfect and it can be a pain in the butt, but it will make it harder to gain access to your information.
Be careful with unrecognized email attachments or programs.
Attachments and programs from sources you don’t already trust can contain payloads that let people access your computer remotely and expose your personal data. Be smart about what kinds of attachments you open and what programs you run.
There are plenty more tips on how to protect your personal data on the Crash Override Network website.
If You Think You Are A Swatting Target:
Look, no one’s perfect, and no data is totally secure. Sometimes information gets out. If you think there are people who want to swat you, there are some simple ways to try and keep it from happening.
Call your police department.
You can preemptively let the police know this is something you’re worried about. Many police departments are already familiar with the phenomenon, but just as many aren’t. If you call the cops and they have no clue what you’re talking about, there are articles about swatting in publications from The New York Times to USA Today.
Give the police your phone number and ask them to call before responding to violent 911 calls from your home.
If the police receive a call that someone has been shot at your house, they are legally obligated to show up. But if they can reach you and ask whether something violent went down, chances are they will not arrive at your home primed for a standoff.
What To Do If You Are Swatted:
If the police suddenly show up outside your house shouting into a bullhorn, there are plenty of ways things could end badly. Here’s how you can help defuse the situation.
Comply with police orders.
Swatting certainly raises questions about over-militarization of local police forces. But when cops are standing in front of your house with semi-automatic rifles, it’s probably not the best time to feel aggrieved. Do what you’re told. Debate later.
If you are handcuffed, calmly explain what has happened.
Most swatting confusion is cleared up quickly once everyone calms down.
1 List courtesy the Crash Override Network. ↩
