Kaspersky Sends Special Mobile Alert To Protect People From 'Stalkerware'

As we all know, Kaspersky stated that dozens of thousands of Android devices were exposed by "stalkerware" in 2018. Now the company has introduced a new feature warning Android users to get to know whenever their smartphone is threatened by spyware. Kaspersky is said to update internet security with privacy alert.

Commercial spyware programmes are background-running apps installed on phones which can be used to monitor and track device activity. While this kind of software is deemed to be legal, the presence of those programs is often both unwanted and unknown by the user affected. Note that in 2018, Kaspersky products detected stalkerwares on nearly 60,000 mobile devices - proving the severity of the threat. While it seems hard to even imagine that such a blatant privacy invasion can be so common and easily accessible, stalkerware threats have been exposed publicly as well as criticized multiple times.

In some cases, a program’s download page specifically states the software is intended to be used for secretly spying on the user: At the time that it starts recording, it often allows the person who installed it to access their victim’s device information, SMS messages, photos, social media conversations, geolocation data, even transferring audio and camera recordings in real time in some certain cases. This is often done without the victim’s knowledge, leading to these types of programmes being commonly referred to as "stalkerware".

There is nothing to stop people using such programs to target specific individuals for malicious purposes, especially spying on partner or ex-partner. On the other hand, most installations of stalkerware need the physical access, but it’s further noted that "stalkerware" can be done quickly by downloading an app onto the phone from a distributor’s website.

“We believe users have a right to know if such a programme is installed on their device,” said Kaspersky’s Security Researcher Alexey Firsh. “Our new alert will help them to do that and assess the risk properly.”