The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), a consortium of major corporations that educate the public and business on how to be more cyber secure, has issued warnings about stalkerware. Stalkerware, also sometimes called spyware, may be used by an individual to surreptitiously monitor the movements and activities of their spouse or partner.
Stalkerware apps can be installed on a smartphone by
someone who has access to the smartphone. The apps can follow the location of
the smartphone, listen to phone calls, view text messages and emails, and other
activity on the smartphone. Stalkerware is used to isolate, monitor, and
control a survivor.
NCSA says that 53,870 Americans reported having
stalkerware on their smartphones in 2020.
Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County says
that they have not seen an increase in clients reporting use of stalkerware
apps. However, they frequently have clients report suspicions that they are
being tracked. Some suspected tracking methods include:
·
Stalkerware apps.
·
Devices in their cars tracking their location.
·
Hidden cameras or recording devices in
their homes.
·
Software on their computer tracking
keystrokes, stealing passwords, and monitoring email, etc. to know what they
are saying and where they are going online.
Cyber security technicians note that stalkerware is
easier to install on Android pones than Apple phones. Stalkerware is not found
in the Play Store but is easily found in a Google search. Most are paid apps. Sometimes
they are advertised as parenting apps but are not clearly marked like parenting
apps are.
It can be difficult to know if you have stalkerware on
your phone. Some clues might include,
·
The battery drains faster than normal.
·
You notice an increase in data
consumption.
·
Weird things start to happen such as
o
Your WIFI, GPS, etc. is mysteriously
enabled or disabled.
o
You see text messages that do not make
sense such as “Get GPS,” “Retrieve SMS.”
You can take action to prevent stalkerware on your
phone,
·
Keep your device with you at all times.
·
Lock your device with a strong password and
take advantage of other features, if available, such as facial recognition or fingerprint
recognition.
·
Only download apps from verified
developers or official app stores.
·
Use strong passwords or passphrases that
only you would know.
·
Periodically review your apps. Make sure
their privacy and security settings protect you and your information. Delete
any apps that you no longer use or do not recognize.
·
Use antivirus software.
What to do if you find stalkerware.
If you find an app that you suspect is stalkerware, the first instinct might be
to remove it. Or maybe fear of what kind of reprisals you might endure if you
remove it. The most important consideration needs to be your safety as a
survivor. The stalker will know if you remove the app. Talk to an advocate,
such as someone from the Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, about
your safety plan.
Some considerations include,
·
Do you want to gather evidence for the
police or for a civil legal action?
·
If you decide to remove the app, doing a
factory reset (the phone company/store can help you with this) is the easiest
way erase the app. Care needs to be taken when reinstalling other apps and files
that you do not reinstall the stalkerware app.
·
If you decide not to remove the app, consider
using a separate phone that is tied to a separate account.
·
Consider updating sensitive accounts with
new passwords by using a separate device from the device with the stalkerware.
Domestic violence is as old as humanity. Abusers have
tried to isolate, monitor, and control survivors for many centuries using a
variety of techniques. Stalkerware and even the threat of stalkerware adds a
new dimension for the abuser.
Below are links to resources on domestic violence and
stalkerware.
Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County (DVS):
DVS recommends the following resources to learn more
about stalkerware,
Easy Tech Trick:
https://www.easytechtrick.org/hidden-camera-detector-apps/
Technology Safety:
https://www.techsafety.org/resources-survivors
https://www.techsafety.org/12tipscellphones
ACLU:
https://www.aclu.org/blog/privacy-technology/internet-privacy/staying-safe-when-you-say-metoo
Other resources,
National Cyber Security Alliance:
https://staysafeonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Stalkerware-Tip-Sheet-2021.pdf
Technology Safety:
https://www.techsafety.org/spyware-and-stalkerware-phone-surveillance?rq=stalkerware
The Seattle Times:
Stop Stalkerware:
We Live Security:
https://www.welivesecurity.com/?s=stalkerware
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