October is Globally considered as the Cybersecurity and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. So, in regards with this let us talk about Stalkerware.
Sounds a bit relating to Stalking right? Let us find out...
What is a Stalkerware?
Stalkerware is an application that tracks the user activities in terms of every possible way and sends the information to the third party servers.
Such applications are used to track personal information of the user and violates the user privacy in all directions.
The information being sent to the third party includes (but not limited to):
- IP Address
- Text Messages (SMS)
- Voice History (Call Logs)
- User Credentials
- Location/GPS Information
- Images/Videos/Live Feeds
- etc...
Just imagine what level of damage it could do to the user if being installed on the device?
Stalkerware programs are widely popular and most targeted among the mobile users. The main reason behind this is that, because these days most valuable information can be found on a person's mobile phone.
The concept of Stalkerware came up from legitimate applications being abused for such purpose, since, Parents use applications with such characteristics to take care of their children and track their movement on a daily basis.
This being the toughest reason to directly classify any application with such characteristics under the Malware category.
To overcome this situation, Cybersecurity vendors are preferring the PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application) or PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) that warns the user about its functionalities but leaves it to the user on how to deal with it on their end (if you see PUA/PUP, highly recommend it not to use).
So that being said in regards with Cybersecurity Awareness Month, then how does this relate to the Domestic Violence Awareness?
There are many reports of (ex)partner spying on the user by installing a Stalkerware on their phone, allowing the person to trace every activity done over the mobile phone.
All these apps are openly advertised to provide these tracking features, starting from as low as $50 per month.
Stalkerware vs Spyware
So if you are a malware person, you may find all these properties being part of a Spyware right?
The major difference between these two is that Spyware comes as an injected malicious payload inside a legitimate program, whereas Stalkerware is advertised as it is with all its features and functionalities being publicly portrayed.
How to stay Safe?
The simplest step you can consider following is never trust applications from unknown sources, and most importantly use anti-malware programs.
Run a scan before using any unknown application over VirusTotal, or your anti-malware program, understand its working and capabilities to ensure it won’t harm you or your personal data in any way.
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