What Does Cyberluring Mean?
Cyberluring refers to the practice of using false pretexts to deceive another individual into meeting in person with the intent of perpetrating a crime. Cyberlurers use chatrooms, instant messaging (IM) applications or email to establish online rapports with their targets. Once they’ve gained the trust of the target, they arrange to meet in the real world. Upon meeting, the target may be sexually assaulted, robbed or even murdered.
Cyberluring is also known as Internet luring.
Techopedia Explains Cyberluring
Cyberluring is an insidious practice in that the majority of cases involve adult lurers targeting underage children. These cases frequently end in sexual assault. The problem is serious enough that the FBI has released guidelines on protecting children from cyberlurers. These include steps such as:
- Keeping the computer in a common room
- Maintaining access to your child’s email and accounts
- Using parental control software to block certain sites
Many groups, schools and local police departments present programs whose goal is to educate parents and youth about the dangers of cyberluring and about how perpetrators go about luring innocent Internet users into their grip.
