IThere are shadows that follow you everywhere, even when you don’t see them. And in our hyperconnected world, those shadows can take the insidious form of stalkerware. The term “stalkerware” refers to malicious applications that are installed on a device without the consent of its owner. These applications aim to monitor user activities, often in the context of abusive relationships or harassment. They can thus access the user’s messages, calls, photos and location data without the user knowing.
These tracking or harassment software are a real scourge for the victims, who can feel constantly watched and hunted. Yet, it is often difficult to detect them, as they operate in stealth mode, without issuing any notifications or alerts. In 2020, IT security firm Kaspersky reported a 67% increase in the number of stalkerware detected on mobile devices compared to the previous year. In 2022, Kaspersky data reveals that 29,312 people were affected by stalkerware, a figure that is close to the 32,694 users affected in 2021.
According to the Kaspersky Security Network, in 2022, Russia, Brazil, India, Iran and the United States of America were the top five countries affected by stalkerware. Turkey, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and finally Mexico complete this top 10. France is in 14th place among the countries most affected by stalkerware, behind Egypt (11th), Algeria (12th), Italy (13th) and before the United Kingdom (15th).
According to a 2021 survey by cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock, 1 in 10 people said they had been a victim of stalkerware at some point in their life. Despite its malicious nature, stalkerware is actually completely legal software. They are offered as parental monitoring or corporate security tools. But in reality, they are often misused to harass, threaten or intimidate victims. Very difficult to detect and even remove, these tracking software can hide in legitimate applications or even in system updates. Some variants can even withstand a full phone reset.
These numbers underscore the need to take the threat of stalkerware seriously and raise awareness regarding this important security issue. Last year, a study by mobile security firm Lookout found that the most commonly used stalkerware was that which monitored text messages, calls, GPS location, social media and emails. The consequences of using stalkerware can be dramatic, ranging from invasion of privacy to physical violence. Victims may find themselves trapped in abusive relationships, unable to escape from a partner who knows everything regarding them.
Steps to take to protect once morest stalkerware
• Use a reliable antivirus and firewall on all your devices, including mobile phones and tablets.
• Avoid downloading suspicious applications or from unknown sources.
• Regularly check your devices for any malware or suspicious behavior.
• Make sure your online accounts are protected with strong, unique passwords, and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
• Never share your personal information, such as your address or phone number, with people you don’t know or trust.
• If you think you are a victim of stalkerware, immediately turn off the device in question and contact the appropriate authorities for assistance.
• If you suspect your cell phone is compromised, you may also consider factory resetting it to remove any potential malware.