In today’s hyperconnected world, online threats surface daily across websites, social media platforms and anonymous forums. While many are nothing more than idle chatter, pranks or cries for attention, others are chillingly real — and the challenge is determining which is which before tragedy strikes.

I learned this firsthand as the webmaster of RentAHitman.com, a website that has traveled a very unusual path. When I originally registered the domain in 2005, it was intended for an IT startup — “Rent” as in hire us, “Hit” referring to network traffic and analytics, and “Men” representing the four of us who were launching a penetration testing business. When the business plan failed, the site sat dormant for years. Eventually, I retooled it into what it is today: a parody look at what a corporate murder-for-hire website might look like, complete with Terms & Conditions, disclaimers, and even a backlink to IC3.gov (the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center).

What started as satire unexpectedly became a public-safety tool. Over the past 15 years, RentAHitman.com has intercepted hundreds of real requests for violence. Some were laughably absurd, but many were serious enough to warrant police involvement. The site has since been linked to over 200 investigations involving state, federal, and international agencies, leading to arrests and convictions — and, most importantly, saving well over 170 lives.

The biggest question I face is simple yet urgent: how do you separate a credible threat from the digital noise?

From my experience collaborating with law enforcement, credibility often hinges on:

• Specific details. A name, location, phone number or financial offer signals far more credibility than vague “I want someone gone” statements.
• Digital breadcrumbs. IP addresses, email accounts, social media handles and metadata can either validate or disprove intent.
• Behavioral patterns. Repeated contact attempts, urgency or escalation in tone often indicate higher risk.
• Context and corroboration. Even small details can connect to larger investigative databases, ongoing cases or known offenders.

While this triage is critical for investigators, there’s another equally important layer that can’t be ignored: education and prevention.

The Role of Online Safety Education

Not everyone is prepared for what they encounter online. Children and adults alike are vulnerable to scams, harassment and predatory solicitations that can spiral into real-world danger. Online safety education is no longer optional — it’s a core part of crime prevention and community resilience.

Teaching children to think critically about what they click, what they share, and who they engage with online can mean the difference between a safe digital experience and one that ends in harm. Adults, too, often lack awareness of the dangers: oversharing personal details, trusting unverified websites, or assuming “it can’t happen to me.”

As professionals, we have a collective responsibility to help educate and safeguard both children and adults in this digital age. That means schools, parents, workplaces, and law enforcement working hand-in-hand to create awareness campaigns, integrate safety lessons into curricula, and provide resources for those who encounter threats online.

Mental Health and Online Behavior

Equally important is recognizing the link between mental health and online threats. Many of the solicitations that come across my site reflect desperation, untreated trauma or cries for help. Sometimes, what looks like a threat is really a signal of distress. Other times, mental health struggles manifest as violent ideation directed at self or others.

Building systems of support — early intervention, accessible counseling, peer outreach — helps address root causes before they escalate into crises. When people feel seen and supported, they’re less likely to turn to destructive paths online.

Cyberbullying Education and Prevention

One area that has grown especially concerning is cyberbullying. What used to be limited to playgrounds or hallways now follows children home, 24/7, through their devices. Victims of bullying often see no escape, and tragically, many threats submitted to my site involve children attempting to hire someone to “make a bully disappear.”

This underscores the urgent need for cyberbullying education — not only for children, but for parents, teachers, and administrators. Everyone in a child’s life should understand how online harassment works, how to recognize warning signs, and how to intervene safely.

The Bigger Picture: Crime Prevention in the Digital Era

Over the past 15 years, RentAHitman.com has been connected to more than 200 investigations across the U.S. and abroad. Collaborations with state police agencies, federal task forces, and international law enforcement partners have prevented school shootings, domestic violence, and targeted assaults. Lives have been saved — not by chance, but because online threats were taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and acted upon in time.

The lesson is clear: we cannot afford to dismiss online threats as “just jokes” or “teen drama.” Every submission deserves scrutiny. Every digital breadcrumb is a lead. And every child or adult deserves the tools to navigate this landscape safely.

The digital world isn’t going away — it’s only expanding. As security professionals, educators, and community leaders, it’s our job to stay ahead of the threats, invest in online safety education, prioritize mental health, and treat cyberbullying as the serious issue it is. Together, we can transform a chaotic online environment into one where safety, awareness, and prevention are the norm.