Three Ways to Detect Stalkerware on Your Device | Antivirus

In this easy-to-understand guide, we explain what exactly stalkerware is and how you can recognize it on your device.

The fact that developers of apps or operating systems monitor the online activities of users no longer shocks many, because they have now come to terms with it. With surveillance software, also known as “stalkerware”, private individuals now also have the opportunity to spy on someone completely.

In this article, we explain what stalkerware exactly is and how you can find out if it is on your device.

What is Stalkerware?

For one or the other jealous partner, it may be a welcome tool, but for those being monitored, it is simply a nightmare: stalkerware. This monitoring software is now available for all common operating systems and devices and anyone can purchase it for around 60 euros per month. Once you have decided on a suitable provider and tariff and received the program with instructions, you just have to borrow the desired device from the target person and install it there.

Since the installation on smartphones usually requires jailbreaking or rooting, the process can take some time. People who want to monitor their boyfriend or girlfriend often solve this problem by giving them a new mobile phone that they have already installed everything they need. Over-concerned parents also like to use this type of software to know what their children are doing anytime, anywhere. You can use it to monitor browser history, incoming and outgoing messages, locations and you can even eavesdrop on calls.

Is Stalkerware Even Legal?

Stalkerware is not illegal in itself, but it can only be installed on the owner's device with the consent of the owner. But let's be honest: who would agree to be monitored around the clock? However, if the person on whose device the software was set up does not know anything about it, this falls under espionage and is punishable unless parents use it to monitor their underage children. But legal or not - most of them will not be dissuaded from their plans anyway. You are betting that the surveillance will not be noticed, which is usually not that easy.

So You Can Tell if You Are Affected by Stalkerware

It is usually not easy to notice that stalkerware is on a device. Nevertheless, we have three ways for you, how or by what you can recognize them.

Signs of Stalkerware on a Device

There are certain signs that could indicate that there is spy software on your device. For example, it is suspicious if you have not changed anything in your online behavior, but your data consumption is still increasing. That could be because monitoring apps are running in the background and transferring data.

Even if your computer or smartphone suddenly slows down and the battery runs out faster, this can be a sign that some program is running in the background that you don't even know about.

Every now and then, clean out your equipment thoroughly. If you stumble across applications or programs that seem unknown to you, you should get to the bottom of the matter. Find out what it is about in a timely manner. It makes sense to only keep the programs that you know and use regularly.

If your phone calls are tapped, you may also hear background noise repeatedly when you make calls.

Friends or Acquaintances Suddenly Know More Than They Should

It is not only on the device itself that you can tell whether you have become a victim of stalkerware, but also in the social environment it is worth keeping your eyes open. Do your friends, acquaintances or partners suddenly know things about you that they actually cannot know? Then the assumption is obvious that you were spied on.

Find Stalkerware Through Certain Programs and Applications

So if you have found any signs that you are actually dealing with stalkerware, you can use certain tools to confirm your suspicions. So you should get a good virus protection program and run it on your PC or laptop. As a rule, such a program should also find stalkerware.

For your smartphone, it makes sense to first find out whether the device has been rooted or whether it has been jailbroken. There are various applications for iOS and also for Android for this purpose.

Tips for More Privacy

As you can see, it is not that unlikely to fall victim to stalkerware. However, there are a few things you can do to enjoy more privacy and data protection. For example, you should use secure passwords that nobody can find out so quickly. In addition, a separate password must be used for each of your accounts.

Last but not least, reliable antivirus can also give you timely information if something is on your device that does not belong there.