Online harassment, blackmail with private photos and hacked accounts are among the most common problems women in Iraq tell us about. You cannot control what other people do, but a few habits make you much harder to target.
Lock your accounts
- Turn on two-step verification for WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and your email.
- Use a different password for each important account. A password manager helps.
- Never share the 6-digit codes you receive by SMS, even with someone who says they are from the company.
Protect your photos and chats
- Check who can see your profile picture and “last seen” on WhatsApp.
- Review which apps have access to your photos.
- Remember that disappearing messages can still be screenshotted.
If someone threatens or blackmails you
- It is not your fault. The crime belongs to the person threatening you.
- Do not pay and do not send more material. It rarely ends the threats.
- Save the evidence: screenshots with dates, usernames and links.
- Report the account on the platform, and tell someone you trust.
- Reach out for help. You can write to us privately and we will try to connect you with people who can support you.
Digital safety is not about being afraid of the internet. It is about using it on your own terms.
