Back in July, we sent out a survey to Malwarebytes Labs readers on the subject of stalkerware—the term used to describe apps that can potentially invade someone’s privacy. We asked one question: “Have you ever used an app to monitor your partner’s phone?” The results were reassuring. We received 4,578 responses from readers all over the world to our stalkerware survey and the answer was a … [Read more...]
August 26, 2020
August 17, 2020
July 20, 2020
Lock and Code S1Ep11: Locating concerns of Bluetooth and beacon technology with Chris Boyd
This week on Lock and Code, we discuss the top security headlines generated right here on Labs and around the Internet. In addition, we talk to Chris Boyd, lead malware intelligence analyst for Malwarebytes, about Bluetooth and beacon technology. Last month, cybersecurity experts warned the public about the data collection embedded in the Donald Trump 2020 re-election campaign’s mobile … [Read more...]
July 14, 2020
Stalkerware advertising ban by Google a welcome, if incomplete, step
On Friday, July 10, Google announced it would no longer allow advertising for spyware and similar surveillance technology—often referred to as “stalkerware”—on its platform. The change is a welcome step by one of the largest, most powerful companies in online advertising, but a close read of the policy reveals a potential loophole that could allow stalkerware-type app makers to still advertise … [Read more...]
May 27, 2020
Coalition Against Stalkerware bulks up global membership
Today, the Coalition Against Stalkerware brought aboard 11 new organizations to address the potentially dangerous capabilities of stalkerware, an invasive, digital threat that can rob individuals of their expectation of, and right to, privacy. These types of apps can provide domestic abusers with a new avenue of control over their survivors’ lives, granting wrongful, unfettered access to text … [Read more...]
March 23, 2020
A week in security (March 16 – 22)
Last week on Malwarebytes Labs, we concluded our series on child identity theft. We also looked into threat actors and campaigns that ride the COVID-19 train, namely the criminal group APT36 and threat actors purporting to be the World Health Organization (WHO) but instead spreading malware. Lastly, we have tips for those who are working at home to stay secure while social distancing. Other … [Read more...]
March 9, 2020
International Women’s Day: awareness of stalkerware, monitoring, and spyware apps on the rise
Nine months ago, Malwarbytes recommitted itself to detecting invasive monitoring apps that can lead to the excessive harm of women—most commonly known as stalkerware. We pledged to raise public awareness, reach out to advocacy groups, and share samples and intelligence with other security vendors. Now, for International Women’s Day (March 8), we decided to take measure of our efforts, examining … [Read more...]
February 27, 2020
Stalkerware and online stalking are accepted by Americans. Why?
Despite warnings from domestic abuse networks, privacy rights advocates, and a committed faction of cybersecurity vendors, Americans may be accepting and minimizing online stalking behaviors, including the use of invasive apps that can pry into a user’s text messages, emails, photos, videos, and phone logs. The limited opposition to these at-times abusive behaviors was revealed by a new study … [Read more...]
November 25, 2019
A week in security (November 18 – 24)
Last week on Malwarebytes Labs, we looked at stalkerware’s legal enforcement problem, announced our cooperation with other security vendors and advocacy groups to launch Coalition Against Stalkerware, published our fall 2019 review of exploit kits, looked at how Deepfake on LinkedIn makes for malign interference campaigns, rounded up our knowledge about the Disney+ security and service issues, … [Read more...]
November 19, 2019
Malwarebytes teams up with security vendors and advocacy groups to launch Coalition Against Stalkerware
Today, Malwarebytes is announcing its participation in a joint effort to stop invasive digital surveillance: the Coalition Against Stalkerware. For years, Malwarebytes has detected and warned users about the potentially dangerous capabilities of stalkerware, an invasive threat that can rob individuals of their expectation of, and right to, privacy. Just like the domestic abuse it can enable, … [Read more...]
