Stalkerware?

What is Stalkerware?

It is a monitoring tool at first intended for parents to monitor children activities on their digital devices such as computers and mobile phones. Stalkerware also finds popularity in the couples market, most commonly used when a partner suspects his/her better half of having an affair. For this reason, Stalkerware is also known as Spouseware. 

Is it dangerous? 

Yes, you bet. Once installed, a user has no idea it is running as it is undetected. The person that deploys the app, the installer, has unlimited access to the device. Let’s say it is a mobile phone. Installer can track and see everything from location, contacts, text messages, email, website history, pictures, to app usage and so on. Cameras can be turned on to spy on user with the user knowing. The same applies to a computer.

How to prevent

Avoidance is the best practice. Avoid letting anyone borrow your devices. Trust no one. If you are feeling helpful, turn on Guest account on the computer for them to use. Never let them use your account. As far as mobile devices go, it is difficult to install on an IOS device. However, it is very easily installed an Android phone. To find out if you have Stalkerware installed, give Kaspersky Internet Security a try.