Stalkerware: An insidious threat on the rise

Cyberthreats like ransomware, phishing, and fraud can be pretty creepy and unsettling. But far more creepy—and potentially dangerous—is the growing use of “stalkerware,” primarily by abusive spouses and partners. 

If the word cyberstalker makes you think of someone who surreptitiously follows another person’s social-media presence or sending unwelcome DMs to them—in other words, the type of online harassment that some celebrities are subjected to by obsessed fans—you’re not wrong. But the use of stalkerware takes it to a whole new, more dangerous level.

What is stalkerware?

Stalkerware is defined as a type of malware or app that monitors all activity on its victim’s mobile device, without the victim’s knowledge. It gives cyberstalkers access to all that information, making it easy for them to know exactly what their victims are doing on their phones, who they’re communicating with, where they’re going, etc. 

To install stalkerware on a phone or tablet, the stalker needs physical access to the device, including password access. This is why, although it is usually marketed as parental-monitoring software, it is most often employed (illegally) by abusive husbands and boyfriends to monitor and exert control over their wives or partners. 

How to detect stalkerware

Stalkerware apps are either invisible or are disguised as other, innocuous apps. However, there are certainly a number of signs that may indicate you have stalkerware on your phone. 

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), along with the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), provide a useful infographic:

You found stalkerware: What next?

If you’re able to determine that there is stalkerware on your phone, you may be tempted to uninstall it immediately in order to protect your privacy, but there are some good reasons to think twice about that.

In the first place, as soon as you delete the app, your stalker will be notified. If it’s an abusive partner, how will they react to learning you’ve deleted the app? In some situations, you may want to first contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline for help making an escape plan. Just remember that if your online activity is being monitored, you’ll want to visit these sites via a public computer or a trusted friend’s device, and not one that may have stalkerware installed.

A very useful organization is the Coalition Against Stalkerware, which provides a great deal of advice, information and a comprehensive list of resources available around the world. 

Finally, this short video, created by the Coalition Against Stalkerware, provides a solid overview of the nature of the problem and what cyberstalking victims need to know and do.