While cybercrime is often seen as something that results in companies losing millions and business confidence, cybercrime also includes elements such as cyberstalking.
How big of an issue is cyberstalking? Well Kaspersky’s State of Stalkerware for 2020 reported that 53 870 of its users worldwide were affected by stalkerware in 2020. That number sounds low because it only takes into account Kaspersky’s data.
With that having been said, the problem is becoming increasingly prevalent and as such Kaspersky, together with Interpol, the National Network to End Domestic Violence based in the US and Wesnet in Australia hosted an online training session that addressed issues of cyberstalking and domestic violence.
“Stalking is a known risk associated with the increased likelihood of lethal and near-lethal harm. Our research with Australian frontline family violence workers found that tracking and monitoring of women by perpetrators had risen 244 percent between 2015 and 2020, and stalking is often via technological means. It is one of the most common forms of abuse co-occurring with domestic and family violence,” said Wesnet chief executive officer Karen Bentley.
The training session ran across two days and experts from Kaspersky shared their knowledge on aspects of stalkerware including how it is installed, how various types of stalkerware is used and suggestions for how to protect yourself.
The sessions also highlight software called TinyCheck which is able to scan communications on a device through a WiFi access point. This application is able to help users detect malicious communication or if a victim is having their device monitored by an abuser.
“Digital stalking is an issue known to the global law enforcement community, but there is a need to enhance capabilities around how to conduct investigations on stalkerware. The software hides itself and investigations need to be undertaken carefully for the safety of the victims. The online sessions organised together with Kaspersky, NNEDV and Wesnet offered helpful advice for our member countries. Interpol is committed to work continually with the Coalition Against Stalkerware, to promote the training to the global law enforcement community and to increase awareness of this problem,” explained acting assistant director of Cyber Strategy and Capabilities Development at Interpol, Pei Ling Lee.
Law enforcement must stay up-to-date with how criminals are using technology to their advantage, especially when that technology is being used to abuse people in their homes.
This would require consistent and regular training and hopefully training sessions such as this where law enforcement and cybersecurity experts come together become all the more frequent.
[Image – CC 0 Pixabay]
