The Hidden Threat of Stalkerware: Understanding and Protecting Against Stealthy Surveillance
The Hidden Threat of Stalkerware: Understanding and Protecting Against Stealthy Surveillance Note: This guide is based on security research, forensic analysis techniques, and documentation from anti-stalkerware coalitions. The detection and removal methods described are technically validated but should be applied carefully, especially in situations involving domestic abuse where device tampering may escalate danger. Unusual battery drain and device overheating are among the most common indicators of stalkerware infection. Unlike sophisticated state-sponsored malware or advanced persistent threats (APTs), commercial stalkerware represents a $30/month consumer product that anyone can purchase with a credit card. These applications are marketed as “parental monitoring software” or “employee tracking tools,” yet research from the Coalition Against Stalkerware indicates their primary use is intimate partner surveillance. ...
