Kaspersky report: Stalkerware cases on the rise again
More people have become victims of stalkerware. At the same time, more people find its use acceptable under certain conditions.
Stalkerware applications often disguise themselves as legal apps and are installed without the knowledge of the person concerned.
(Bild: Shutterstock.com / weedezign)
In 2023, 31,031 individual Kaspersky users - around 5.86% more than in the previous year - were affected by stalkerware on their smartphones. Previously, the number had fallen continuously since 2019. In Europe, the company registered fewer cases than in 2022. The cybersecurity provider announced this in a report. Stalkerware is most frequently used in Russia, Brazil and India. In Europe, Kaspersky recorded the most cases in Germany, followed by France and the United Kingdom.
The company registered spyware in a total of 175 countries. Russia was at the top with 9890 cases. According to the report, Germany is in tenth place with 577 affected users. In the previous year, it was still in seventh place.
The most common stalkerware application was TrackView
With 4049 cases, TrackView was used most frequently. Stalkerware applications such as this allow users to hide the app icon, read messages, track their location, view photos and even take pictures using the front camera. "Stalkerware usually disguises itself as a legitimate anti-theft or parental control app on smartphones, tablets and computers", writes Kaspersky in the report. Stalkers do not always need to have direct access to the device to install it. Even a supposedly new smartphone could already have stalkerware pre-installed. "There are various companies that make these services available online and enable perpetrators to install these tools on new phones and send them to victims in factory packaging disguised as a gift," the report continues.
To collect the data, the Kaspersky Security Network analyzed the cybersecurity-related data streams of millions of anonymous voluntary participants. Home user products were included in the statistics. Only the affected cases of mobile phone users were recorded. The same device could also have been detected multiple times if the stalkerware had not been removed, writes Kaspersky: "Aid organizations often advise not to eliminate stalker software so as not to alert perpetrators that they have been detected."
Online survey: 23 percent have already experienced online stalking by ex-partners
In an online survey of 21,000 people on the subject of digital stalking – including stalkerware installed on devices - 23% of respondents also stated that they had already experienced online stalking by someone they had recently been with. People from the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Serbia, Portugal, the Netherlands, Italy, France, Greece, the USA, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, China, Singapore, Russia, India and Malaysia took part in the survey.
39% have experienced violence or abuse from a former or current partner. 16 percent received unwanted messages or emails, 13 percent were photographed or filmed without consent, 10 percent reported that their location was tracked. Similarly, 10 percent had already experienced unauthorized access to social media accounts or emails. 7 percent stated that stalker software had already been installed on their device without their knowledge.
More people consider online stalking acceptable under certain circumstances
More women (42 percent) than men (36 percent) have experienced violence. According to the report, violence or abuse is more common in relationships that are still fresh (48 percent) than in long-term relationships (37 percent). "A remarkable 34 percent of respondents expressed concern about the potential for online stalking, with female respondents (36 percent) slightly more concerned than males (31 percent)," Kaspersky continued.
At the same time, the proportion of people who consider monitoring their partner without their knowledge to be completely unacceptable has fallen: in 2021, the proportion was still 70 percent. In 2024, only 54% agreed with this statement. 38% think this is okay under certain circumstances (2017: 17%). 8% find it acceptable at all times (2021: 13%)
Those affected can find support at regional advice centers and at the following addresses, among others
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