Cybersecurity and Journalism: Digital Violence is Another Form of Violence for Female Journalists in Ecuador

Knowledge of cybersecurity is essential to protect personal privacy. Cybercrimes are on the rise, and beyond professionals related to power institutions (such as journalists), civilian users can also fall victim to attacks, identity theft, document theft, extortion, and more. For female journalists, ensuring digital security allows for the guarantee of press freedom. This study aims to explore digital security, knowledge, and training in cybersecurity, using a mixed-methods exploratory approach. The study concludes that cybersecurity training is urgently needed for data protection and privacy safeguarding. Female journalists are victims of digital attacks that primarily exploit their gender or even their sexual lives to discredit their work and reputation.