Zena at night: What we discovered about pedophilia [research]

SecNews was featured on the evening television show "Zina to Vradi" hosted by Zina Koutselinis, where it presented the research it conducted on cyber predators.

The SecNews research team, in response to the complaints it receives on the Whistleblowing reporting platform, wanted to launch a study on cyber predators in Greece. The aim of our research was to determine the percentage of pedophiles on the surface web, as well as the methods they use to seduce children.

The SecNews investigation, which was presented as part of the show "Zina to Vradi", essentially started from the dark web where grey hacking techniques and data scraping in order to identify digital fingerprints from Greek IPs. Then, with reverse searching and the use of osint (open-source intelligence) tools, we found the associations of potential pedophiles with accounts on social media platforms (applications that we all use on a daily basis). The relevant approach was made and then the corresponding profiling of cyber predators.

Initial Research Conclusions

• 90% are male
• 75% report their real age
• 67% declare themselves a member of their own family (it is the same parent)
• 85% are interested in teenage children between 13-17 years old
• They use social media platforms accessible via the surface web
• They scan profiles for material that reveals the child's age and interests.
• They are looking for vulnerable children
• They try to build relationships of trust
• They are presented as messiahs who will replace parents and friends
• They require the sending of nude content
• They tempt with gifts and money

Tips for keeping your children safe on social media

1. Get educated about social media
2. Set an age limit for your child to start using social media
3. Check your child's privacy settings regularly
4. Keep your child's profile private.
5. Make sure they don't post personal information, including phone numbers, address, or check-in times.
6. Do not allow them to post photos or videos that compromise their safety or character.
7. Make sure they have chosen a strong password.
8. Never allow them to accept friend requests from people they don't know.
9. Set guidelines/rules for social media use.
10. It is important to emphasize to children that images and comments never truly disappear from the internet.
11. Keep an open dialogue with your child.