Russian cybersecurity company, Kaspersky, revealed that nearly 31 thousand smartphone users worldwide have become targets of Stalkerware, software used to stalk someone. This number has increased compared to before.
In a survey conducted by Kaspersky, it was noted that in 2023, a total of 31,031 unique individuals worldwide were impacted by stalking. This number increased by almost 6 percent year-over-year (5.8%) from the 29,312 users affected in 2022.
According to the Kaspersky Security Network, in 2023, users in Russia (9,890), Brazil (4,186), and India (2,492) were the three countries most affected by stalkerware. Iran (1,578) made the top five followed by Turkey (1,063), Indonesia (871), the United States (799), and Yemen (627).
The spectrum of abuse varies, with more than a third (39%) of respondents worldwide reporting experiences of violence or abuse perpetrated by their current or former partners. Of those surveyed for this report, 23% worldwide revealed they have experienced some form of online stalking from someone they recently dated. Furthermore, overall, 40% reported having experienced or suspected stalking.
On the other hand, 12% admitted to installing or configuring parameters on their partner’s phone. While nine percent acknowledged pressuring their partner to install monitoring applications. However, the idea of monitoring a partner without their knowledge is not endorsed by most individuals (54%), reflecting common sentiments towards such behavior.
Regarding attitudes towards monitoring their partner’s online activities consensually, 45 percent of respondents expressed their disagreement, highlighting the importance of privacy rights. Conversely, 27 percent support full transparency in relationships, viewing monitoring based on consensus as appropriate, while 12 percent consider monitoring acceptable only if mutual agreement is reached. !!!!!!!!
Kaspersky’s security and data privacy expert, David Emm, stated that these findings highlight the balance between the intimacy of a relationship and the protection of personal information. He urged people to increase caution, especially regarding sensitive data such as security passwords.
“The reluctance to share such critical access aligns with cybersecurity principles. The willingness to share passwords and streaming service photos indicates a cultural shift, although individuals should be aware of potential risks even in sharing seemingly harmless information,” he said on Friday (15/4/2024).
“These insights underscore the importance of fostering open communication in relationships, establishing clear boundaries, and promoting digital literacy. For security professionals, this reinforces the need for ongoing education on best cybersecurity practices and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about sharing personal information in a relationship,” he continued.
