ROMANTICIZED by shows like “You” a Netflix series about an obsessive-possessive young man named Joe Goldberg–stalking, whether physical or digital– is still unacceptable and potentially dangerous behavior. According to senior editor Manishta Khrisnan, whose expertise includes sexual violence against women, in an article in Vice News, the hit four-season TV series has “everything to do with controlling, obsessive, psychopathic behavior.” The author went on to say that “stalking is a serious issue that deserves more mainstream attention.”
“It is important that we do not romanticize the behavior as seen in You, but instead denounce it for what it is– stalking. Regardless of whether it is happening online or digitally, stalking and stalkerware is a form of violence,” Christina Jankowski, Senior External Relations Manager at Kaspersky commented.
Cyberstalking happens a lot around Valentine’s Day because of the auspiciousness of the occasion. In 2019, the American Bureau of Justice estimated that about 0.4 percent (936,310 persons) in the US, age 16 or older were victims of cyberstalking at around this season. About two percent or 538,690 persons received unwanted emails or messages using the Internet or social media.
A study conducted by author and university lecturer Paul Bocji, suggests how cyberstalking and offline (or real world) stalking, are very different in terms of the period of time it happens and the identification of harassers. “Cyberstalking tends to take place over a shorter period of time than offline stalking and cyberstalking victims are less likely to know the identify of their harassers,” Bocji says in the summary of his study. “As a result cyberstalking should be seen as a new form of deviant behavior that can be distinguished from offline stalking.”
Cybercriminal experts at Kaspersky mentioned that the most common form of digital stalking is the use of stalkerware, a commercially available software that can be discreetly installed on smartphone devices. Along with other technologies, it is often used in abusive relationships, enabling perpetrators to monitor an individual’s private life without their knowledge. Stalkerware has also been connected to other forms of violent behavior.
According to Kaspersky, 29,312 people worldwide were affected by stalkerware in 2022. Cases in all countries show that stalkerware is a global phenomenon that is currently affecting all societies, with the Coalition Against Stalkerware estimating that the use of this form of software worldwide could be close to one million cases annually.
“I was a victim of stalkerware, by a foreigner who I met online and was obsessed by me,” Bettina (not her real name) said. The 4th-year HRM student from a university in Taft Avenue said that the stalker seemed to know wherever I am even calling me up on Facetime in the middle of my bathroom activities. He seems to know it and it was because I had downloaded stalkerware. It is very traumatic.” Bettina took a two year break from social media after the incident and slowly returned to a “social life” under a pseudonym.
“There are real-life stories behind the numbers of those affected which is why it is important to take active action against it. To gain a better understanding of stalkerware, Kaspersky is sharing insights with the global cyber community and aiding organizations in the fight against digital stalking. All relevant data and information on this issue must be shared for the benefit of those affected by cyber violence to further improve the level of detection and protection,” adds Jankowski.
In 2019, Kaspersky alongside nine other companies and organizations founded the Coalition Against Stalkerware, which today counts more than 40 members worldwide. The Coalition’s mission is to improve the detection of stalkerware, combat domestic violence, promote knowledge sharing among non-profit organizations and companies, and raise public awareness about the problem.
Kaspersky’s consumer security solutions protect against stalkerware, regularly scanning devices and displaying suitably clear warnings, including recommended actions if detected. It has developed the free open-source tool, TinyCheck, which enables the detection of stalker software in a simple, fast, and non-invasive way on an affected device without alerting the perpetrator.
TinyCheck is secure in its use by help organizations and it does not read the contents of an individual’s communications (such as SMS or emails). It only interacts with the online servers/IPs connected to the smart device. It does not know whom an individual is communicating with or what is being said, and the network record of the analyzed device is not shared with either Kaspersky or third parties who receive this data. All analysis is carried out locally.
“Stalking is a criminal, traumatic, and dangerous offense. Yet movies, TV, and music consistently present stalking as desirable, cute, sexy, and/or flattering — but in real life, it’s unwanted, terrifying, and illegal,” Karen Bentley, CEO at the Australian Women’s Services Network (WESNET) concludes.
