Michigan teen’s life upended by complete stranger. How to keep it from happening to you

A Macomb County teenager, DJ Phillips, became a victim of online impersonation when a 15-year-old stranger used his identity to spread damaging lies, leading to real-life confrontations. Cybersecurity expert Scott Bailey advises documenting evidence, such as screenshots and URLs, and regularly checking and securing online settings to prevent such incidents. Parents are encouraged to be proactive in safeguarding their children's online presence by using resources provided by social media platforms and utilizing tools like Google’s image search, while being mindful of privacy concerns. Additionally, Local 4’s Karen Drew experienced a similar hacking incident, underscoring the complexities individuals face in navigating legal processes for online impersonation, highlighting the need for regular security maintenance.