The reach of social networks is a disadvantage in some cases. If the offensive material uploaded has been passed on, it is difficult to check the damage.

Three years back, 23-year-old Smriti Dasgupta started getting calls from unknown men on her cellphone. “One of the callers said he got my number from Orkut. Someone had created a fake profile with some name, someone else’s picture and my mobile number. I filed a general diary at the local police station but it didn’t help,” she says.

There is no way one can protect oneself from such a random assault but author and blogger Arnab Ray feels there is no alternative to being careful. “The trick is not to divulge too much about oneself or one’s family and private life on an online forum,” he says.

And the websites themselves, feels “cyber crusader” Vinay Rai, should be more responsible. “Fake accounts and other objectionable matter on social networks are common. The sites can always provide a clue to the persons behind them,” he says.

Facebook does have an option of “reporting” an user or a photo if someone thinks that the profile is fake or the person is harassing someone or the content is objectionable. But for those smarting from an obscene overture, reporting to a nameless entity without knowing what action will be taken is often of little comfort.

(Some names have been changed)