AV-Comparatives AV-Comparatives - Stalkerware Test 2020

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Can antivirus programs protect your privacy and civil liberties? Major new test reveals how consumer security programs can detect covert surveillance by stalkerware programs.

https://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/avc_stalkerware_2020.pdf
Independent antivirus testing lab AV-Comparatives has released the results of a major new test relating to stalkerware programs. Stalkerware is hidden software that can secretly spy on the user’s activities. It can monitor and record phone and video calls, and let the stalker read the user’s emails, text and social media messages. Internet browsing history may also be recorded. With mobile devices such as laptops, tablets and phones, stalkerware can track the user’s physical location over time. It can be used by individuals to spy on their partners, or by governments to monitor the activities of political dissenters.

Surprisingly, stalkerware can be bought legally. The companies that make it state that it should only be used for legitimate purposes, such as parents monitoring their children’s Internet use, or employers keeping an eye on their staff. However, unlike genuine programs for these purposes, stalkerware goes out of its way to hide its presence on the user’s device. There are no shortcuts or program icons to be seen, and no entries in lists of installed programs. Unless you are a technical expert, the best way to check for installed stalkerware on your device(s) is to use a good antivirus program.

AV-Comparatives is an independent, ISO-certified testing lab based in Innsbruck, Austria. It specialises in rigorous tests of security software, to check how well different products protect against current cyber-threats. In this test of protection against stalkerware, the institute’s experts looked at antivirus products for both Android and Windows devices. For each platform, 10 popular security products were checked to see how effectively they detected stalkerware programs. Two separate rounds of testing were performed, one in November 2019, and the second in May 2020.

To find out which antivirus programs were most effective at detecting stalkerware, visit AV-Comparatives’ website. Like all the lab’s publications, the report is made available free of charge to everyone.

Stalkerware Test 2020

Major new test reveals how consumer security programs can detect covert surveillance by stalkerware programs.

www.av-comparatives.org

From the linked pdf:

General tips
• Make sure your devices (phone, tablet, computer) are protected with a PIN or password that no-one else knows. Ensure they are locked when out of your sight.
• Do not lend your phone to anyone, even for a short time. It might take less than a minute to install a stalkerware program on it.
• Be aware that it is possible to buy mobile phones with stalkerware pre-installed. If you receive a shrink-wrapped smartphone as a gift, it just might contain more than you expected.
• Use an antivirus program on all your devices, ideally one that lets you password-protect the settings. Check its whitelist, to see if an unknown program has been designated as harmless.
• Users of Apple iPhones should be aware that there is stalkerware for iOS too. If you have an iPhone and are worried about stalkerware, you should ask an independent expert if there are any hidden processes on your phone.
• Uninstall any apps you do not recognise or do not need.
• Consider whether the performance of your device has changed. Has it slowed down, or does the battery drain more quickly than you would expect? Of course, there might be other explanations for these effects.
• Look out for messages from unknown senders via social media, text, or email. This is always a good idea, but might also be an indication that your device has been compromised.
• If you have found stalkerware on your device and removed it, change the passwords for your email and social media platforms, Internet banking and so on. Use passwords that no-one else can guess. Do not let apps (other than a trusted password manager) save your passwords.

 

[marcopaone]

Norton stonks