Security companies come together to form Coalition Against Stalkerware

A severest crisis can be dealt with and overcome by displaying strength in unity. The problem of stalkerware and its rising menace finds a solution in this line. Many security firms have joined hands together to form a coalition against Stalkerware.

What is Stalkerware

A stalkerware in simplest terms can be understood as an invasive program that gets installed on your computer or mobile device. It enables the installer to spy on the targeted person’s online behaviors without his knowledge. This is certainly not acceptable to all. However, in certain cases, it has been put to good use. For example, they are often used by parents who wish to track the online activity of their child. The program has the capability to remotely intercept messages, photos, browsing history, GPS coordinates, and even phone call data.

Recently, stalkerware has become a problem not only for its targets but also for security vendors whose business strictly depends on the sale of security software. Most security vendors mark stalkerware as not-a-virus. This can mislead the user. Unaware of the security risks associated with the program, the user may perceive it as not a harmful entity, which stalkerware certainly is not.

Coalition Against Stalkerware

To address these and many other concerns, the IT security industry felt it necessary to come together and unite to protect users against stalkerware. They also viewed the occasion as an opportunity to bring in the experience and expertise of the nonprofit organizations that directly help victims of domestic abuse every day. This resulted in forging a strong coalition of the following companies named as a coalition against stalkerware.

1. Kaspersky
2. Electronic Frontier Foundation
3. European Network for the Work with Perpetrators of Domestic Violence,
4. Avira
5. G DATA Cyber Defense
6. NortonLifeLock
7. Malwarebytes
8. National Network to End Domestic Violence
9. Operation Safe Escape
10. Weisser Ring.

The primary objective of the Coalition will include-

• Improving the detection and mitigation of stalkerware
• Creating awareness and educating victim about technical aspects

More importantly, the coalition will issue privacy alerts to the users whenever it comes across software that eavesdrops and monitors their actions on their device. For more information, visit the StopStalkware.org website.