Do these three things to keep stalkerware at bay

Compared to January and February this year, before lockdown measures took effect, March through June saw a surge in the use of stalkerware, an insidious kind of software that allows users to track both www.mcafee.com/activate the physical and digital moves of others, sometimes www.mcafee.com/activate product key accessing photos mcafee.com/activate product key, videos, and emails, sometimes www.mcafee/activate even tapping into their WhatsApp and Facebook accounts. 

It’s a sad truth that domestic violence incidents have increased since stay-at-home orders were issued, but that abusive www.mcafee.com/activate download behavior seems to have carried over into the digital world as well. Avast Threat Labs observed a 51% increase in spywareand stalkerware from March through June, in comparison to the first two months of the year. 

The increase in connected devices and the availability of stealthy spy- and stalkerware apps are another way for abusers to exert control over their victims who have been unable to leave their home due to coronavirus preventative measures, according to Erica Olsen, Safety Net project director for the National Network www.mcafee/activate to end Domestic Violence (NNEDV), a social change organization dedicated to creating a social, political, and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists.

“Stalkerware, which is designed to operate in stealth mode with no persistent notification to the user of the device, gives abusers and stalkers a robust and invasive tool to perpetrate harassment, monitoring, stalking, and abuse,” said Olsen. “This can be terrifying and traumatizing for the person www.mcafee.com/activate. During this public health crisis, there have been several reports www.mcafee.com/activate product key documenting the increased detection of stalkerware, which could be indicative of increased access to personal devices during lockdown or stay-at-home orders. It could also be reflective mcafee.com/activate product key of an abuser increasing or changing www.mcafee.com/activate download their tactic if the victim is now actually out of the house more often, if they are an essential worker in healthcare, for example.”

Since March 2020, Avast has protected over 40,000 users from such malware across the globe. In order to mitigate against the threat of stalkerware, we’re providing the following simple, actionable steps:

Rule #1: Secure your phone against all unauthorized physical access

Use the lock screen on your device. It takes less than a minute to install a stalkerware app, and, according to Pew Research, more than 25% of mobile users fail to use lock-screen protection  www.mcafee.com/activate download on their smartphones www.mcafee.com/activate. That kind of easy access helps suspicious partners to install stalkerware without being noticed www.mcafee/activate. Do not lend your unlocked phone to anyone unless you fully trust their intentions.

Rule #2: Install a trusted antivirus on your mobile phone

A good mobile antivirus will treat stalkerware as a PUP – potentially unwanted program – and give you the option to remove it.  keeps your mobile device secure from stalkerware in addition to other malware www.mcafee/activate and potentially malicious apps. Mobile security worked www.mcafee.com/activate product key with Google to remove eight of the biggest stalking apps from the Play Store last year, and we are continuing this work as new developments in stalkerware arise.

Rule #3: Look for hotlines and victims’ services providers.

However, if you don’t feel safe, trust your instincts. If you need to source help and support fast – you should not hesitate to seek it www.mcafee.com/activate. Organizations such as  Operation Safe exchange can help.

Operation Safe Escape is a victim support organisation that provides valuable support and education for victims of domestic violence mcafee.com/activate product key and abuse, and can help with issues of personal www.mcafee.com/activate download, physical and digital safety www.mcafee.com/activate.  www.mcafee.com/activate product key If it’s possible your device has been compromised by stalkerware, avoid using it to contact support. If you are able, use an anonymous device such as a library computer or a friend’s phone in order to avoid alerting the stalker.