March 20, 2024 at 09:21AM
Kaspersky’s 2023 report noted a rise in stalkerware cases, affecting 31,031 people globally. Europe had 2,645 unique cases, with Germany, France, and the UK being most affected. In North America, the US accounted for 77% of instances. The software allows intrusive monitoring without the victim’s knowledge, posing risks, particularly in abusive relationships.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting Notes:
– Stalkerware has become a widespread issue, with an increasing number of people being affected by intrusive software.
– Kaspersky’s annual State of Stalkerware report revealed specific statistics related to the distribution and impact of stalkerware across various countries, including Europe, North America, Russia, Brazil, and India.
– The report identified the most commonly used stalkerware apps, such as TrackView, Reptilic, SpyPhone, Mobile Tracker, and Cerberus.
– Stalkerware is designed to operate stealthily on a victim’s device, often without their knowledge or consent, providing the perpetrator with surveillance capabilities.
– The prevalence of stalkerware poses severe risks, especially for individuals in abusive relationships, as it can impede their ability to seek help or leave dangerous situations.
– Kaspersky’s annual report was based on aggregated threat statistics and involved 21,000 online interviews conducted across multiple countries, revealing high levels of online stalking and experiences of violence or abuse from current or previous partners.
– There are concerning trends around the acceptance and normalization of monitoring and digital surveillance within relationships, including the sharing of passwords and account information.
These takeaways provide a comprehensive overview of the impact and implications of stalkerware as well as the concerning prevalence of digital surveillance within relationships.