Cryptheory – Just Crypto

Cryptocurrencies are our life! Get an Overview of Market News

‘Stalkerware’ spy apps on smartphones rises

2 min read

The number of devices infected with stalkerware rose by 63 per cent over just eight months, equating to more than a quarter of a million compromised smartphones, laptops and tablets, new research has found.

Cybersecurity company NortonLifeLock detected the significant increase in the use of stalkerware apps – apps designed to monitor a user’s text messages, phone calls, direct messages, emails or photos without their knowledge – between September 2020 and May this year, affecting more than 250,000 devices globally.

The findings correlate with similar research from other security firms including Avast and Kaspersky, which have also reported a rise in use of invasive and potentially harmful stalkerware globally throughout the pandemic.

Additionally, many ordinary apps that use location or GPS tracking are increasingly being co-opted to track and stalk women and vulnerable people, said Saskia Garner, policy officer at safety charity the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.

“We know that some technologies are marketed specifically at people who may want to stalk someone, whether it be a current partner or someone else, but we also know that a range of technologies is used to carry out cyberstalking that are more familiar apps like social media or messaging,” she told i.

“These technologies can contribute to fixative and obsessive pattern of behaviour that fits how we define stalking and make it very easy for people to covertly access information about someone without their consent, which is the really concerning part.

“Sometimes it’s not very clear on apps that track people’s running routes, for example, that a user’s settings might be open or that it could be easy to people to track you without your knowledge,” Ms Garner added.

“The risks aren’t always adequately highlighted, and people aren’t always advised on how to use them safely.”

As stalkerware typically consumes a lot of power, a suddenly diminishing battery or increase in data use could be indicative of its presence, said Steve Wilson, UK and Ireland director at NortonLifeLock.

“The rise in stalkerware shocked us,” he said. “This jumped out over nine months, during the situation we’ve all been in, as slightly worrying.”

It is also worth checking the privacy settings of everyday apps to ensure they’re not giving away more information than strictly necessary, he added.

All content in this article is for informational purposes only and in no way serves as investment advice. Investing in cryptocurrencies, commodities and stocks is very risky and can lead to capital losses.
BlackRock (IBIT), the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), Fidelity (FBTC), Ark Invest/21Shares (ARKB), Bitwise (BITB), Franklin (EZBC), Invesco/Galaxy (BTCO), VanEck (HODL), Valkyrie (BRRR), WisdomTree (BTCW), Hashdex (DEFI)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *