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Safety Wings: Empowering Women and Girls in the Digital Age


By Creating Wings (Priyanka Jain, Sara Peralta Onze, Riddhima J., Olivia Frillici, Hannah K.)


Introduction

In today's interconnected world, technology offers incredible opportunities for learning, connection, and growth. Yet, it also presents evolving risks - especially for women and girls. Recent data reveals a troubling 300% surge in cyber crimes targeting females over the past three years. From sophisticated phishing scams to deeply invasive deepfake exploitation, the digital landscape demands vigilance.

But fear not - knowledge transforms vulnerability into power. At Creating Wings, we believe in turning fear into fuel and equipping women with the tools to fly fearlessly online. This comprehensive guide delivers actionable strategies to help you navigate the digital world safely and confidently.



Understanding the Threats

1. Phishing Scams

Fraudsters craft fake job offers, romantic connections, or urgent "security alerts" to steal financial or personal data.

Example: A fake modeling agency requests bank details for a "background check" via Instagram DMs.


2. Doxing and Stalking

Attackers mine your online content to discover personal info like your address, workplace, or daily routine.

Example: Geotagged gym photos lead to unwanted real-life encounters.


3. Deepfake Exploitation

Using AI, criminals generate fake nude images or manipulated videos to extort or shame victims.

Example: An ex-partner fabricates compromising content for blackmail.


4. Financial Fraud

"Investment gurus" on social media lure women into fraudulent schemes. 

Example: A TikTok advisor promotes a fake crypto platform, tricking followers into deposits.


5. Identity Theft

Scammers impersonate you to open credit lines or commit crimes.

Example: A fraudster pretending to be a bank rep steals your Social Security number.



Building Your Digital Armor: 10 Essential Strategies


🔒 Privacy Fortification

  • Use complex 14+ character passwords (e.g., Purple$ky!2024Rains)

  • Enable 2FA (two-factor authentication) on all key accounts

  • Keep social profiles private; audit tagged photos monthly

  • Disable geotags and scrub metadata before posting images

  • Use Instagram’s "Restricted" feature to invisibly silence bullies


🧼 Device and App Hygiene

  • Deny location access to non-essential apps

  • Change default passwords on smart home devices

  • Update devices and apps regularly for the latest security patches


🚨 Emergency Response Plan

  1. Document harassment (screenshots with timestamps)

  2. Report incidents to platforms through official channels

  3. Block perpetrators across all platforms

  4. Use TakeItDown.org OR https://stopncii.org/ to remove non-consensual intimate images

  5. Never pay blackmailers - contact police immediately with evidence


Email Safety: What Every Woman Should Know


🔐 Tips to Stay Safe with Email

  1. Never click on links or download attachments from unknown or unexpected senders.

  2. Check the sender’s email address carefully — scammers often mimic real ones (e.g., amaz0n-support@gmail.com).

  3. Look for red flags: urgency (“Act now!”), threats (“Your account will be locked”), or promises that sound too good to be true.

  4. Don't reply to suspicious emails — even replying can confirm your address is active.

  5. Avoid entering sensitive data (like passwords, SSNs, or credit card numbers) into links from email messages.

  6. Report phishing by forwarding the message to:

    • phishing@report.cyber (U.S.)

    • reportphishing@apwg.org (Global)

    • Use the “Report” or “Spam” button in Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo


✅ Best Practices

  • Use separate emails for work, personal, shopping, and sensitive accounts (banking, government portals).

  • Enable spam filters and make sure they’re on.

  • Use a secure email provider that scans for threats (like ProtonMail, Outlook, or Gmail).



🌐 Non-Secure Links & Suspicious Websites


⚠️ How to Identify a Dangerous or "Non-Secure" Link

  1. Check for HTTPS — Only trust sites that begin with https:// (the “S” means secure).

  2. Hover before you click — Let your mouse hover over the link to see the full destination. If it looks odd, don’t click.

  3. Watch out for link shorteners (like bit.ly or tinyurl) — they can mask unsafe websites.

  4. Avoid clicking pop-ups or "Free Gift/Win Now" banners.


🔍 Verify Suspicious Links

  • Use these tools:

    • Google Safe Browsing Check

    • VirusTotal – paste a URL to scan it for malware

    • PhishTank – checks if a site is a known phishing scam



Digital Literacy Boosters

  • Use reverse image searches to verify suspicious profiles

  • Stick to encrypted messaging apps (like Signal or WhatsApp)

  • Be skeptical of unsolicited "opportunities" and prize notifications



Lifelong Safety Habits

  • Conduct yearly digital detoxes - delete unused accounts

  • Check HaveIBeenPwned.com for password leaks

  • Use privacy-first browsers like DuckDuckGo

  • Keep encrypted backups of key documents

  • Never publicly share:

    • Government IDs

    • Travel plans

    • Your child’s school name

    • Your workplace address or schedule

    • Your Bank details

    • Your Personal Information

    • Any PII data



Where to Find Help


🌐 Immediate Assistance (Global & Country-Independent Resources)

  • Take It Down – Remove non-consensual explicit images from the internet (available worldwide, especially for youth under 18)

  • Report Harmful Content – Advice and reporting support for various online harms (available globally)

  • Cyber Civil Rights Initiative – Support for victims of image-based abuse, blackmail, and online harassment

  • HeartMob by Right to Be – Real-time support for people experiencing online harassment

  • INHOPE – A global network of hotlines for reporting child sexual abuse material

  • ReportFraud.ftc.gov – U.S.-based, but accepts reports of scams affecting global users

  • Amnesty’s Digital Security Guide – Country-independent tools and guides for digital protection


📍 National or Regional Resources

🎓 Free Educational Tools

  • Google's Be Internet Awesome

  • Meta’s Digital Literacy Library

  • Creating Wings Resources Hub (coming soon!)


Final Thoughts

Technology alone won't protect you - proactive habits will. Be alert. Be skeptical. Be prepared. Your digital safety is non-negotiable. Share this knowledge with your daughters, sisters, friends, and community.

Together, we build safety wings - stronger, smarter, and ready to fly above fear.

 

 


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