Stalkerware Use Surges During Lockdown | Avast

Stalkerware Use Surges During Lockdown | Avast
Grace Roberts, 8 July 2020

Use of this unethical tracking software has surged during lockdown, but here’s how you can protect yourself



Compared to January and February this year, before lockdown measures took effect, March through June saw a surge in the use of stalkerware, an insidious kind of software that allows users to track both the physical and digital moves of others, sometimes accessing photos, videos, and emails, sometimes even tapping into their WhatsApp and Facebook accounts.  It’s a sad truth that domestic violence incidents have increased since stay-at-home orders were issued, but that abusive behavior seems to have carried over into the digital world as well. Avast Threat Labs observed a 53% increase in spyware and stalkerware from March through June, in comparison to the first two months of the year. 
“Stalkerware is a growing category of domestic malware with disturbing and dangerous implications,” said Jaya Baloo, Avast CISO. “It steals the physical and online freedom of the victim. Usually installed secretly on mobile phones by so-called friends, jealous spouses, ex-partners, and even concerned parents, stalkerware tracks the physical location of the victim, monitors sites visited on the internet, text messages, and phone calls.”

The increase in connected devices and the availability of stealthy spy- and stalkerware apps are another way for abusers to exert control over their victims who have been unable to leave their home due to coronavirus preventative measures, according to Erica Olsen, Safety Net project director for the National Network to end Domestic Violence (NNEDV), a social change organization dedicated to creating a social, political, and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists.
“Stalkerware, which is designed to operate in stealth mode wit ..

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