Kaspersky warns that the use of spyware is a growing form of digital surveillance. Recent data indicates that 47% of Latin American women have felt spied on using technologies such as phones, laptops, and tracking devices. According to a Kaspersky survey, one in five women in Latin America has discovered that a spyware application was installed on her mobile phone, demonstrating how technological tools are used to monitor or restrict the daily lives of victims without their consent. This type of digital stalking rarely occurs in isolation, as 46% of women surveyed in the region have already suffered some form of domestic abuse, including psychological, physical, or financial. Although 65% of women in Latin America consider it unacceptable for an intimate partner to monitor their online activities, 47% reported having felt spied on through cell phones, laptops, webcams, or smart home devices. How stalkerware works and warning signs Many women do not immediately perceive the monitoring. Spyware applications, known as stalkerware, are often installed without consent on devices given as gifts and operate hidden in the system. María Isabel Manjarrez, Security Researcher for Latin America at Kaspersky's Global Research and Analysis Team, noted in the third person that this software allows access to sensitive information such as messages, location, calls, and social media activity, and even remotely activate the camera or microphone. Manjarrez emphasized that strengthening digital security habits, such as reviewing app permissions and keeping the system updated, helps reduce the risk of unauthorized monitoring. Security and prevention measures To protect autonomy and privacy, Kaspersky experts recommend the following actions: Screen lock: Maintain a strong PIN, password, or pattern, as many monitoring programs require physical access to the device for installation. Permission review: Periodically check which applications have access to location, microphone, camera, and messages. Unusual behavior: Observe if the device shows abnormal battery consumption, overheating without an apparent cause, or excessive data usage. System updates: Install the latest versions of the operating system and applications to fix security vulnerabilities. Security solutions: Use reliable tools, such as Kaspersky Premium, to detect and block threats like malware or stalkerware. Technology should be a tool for protecting people, so identifying these suspicious behaviors is key to keeping personal information and digital privacy safe from control mechanisms. Discover what other articles our readers are reading right now: Mayo Clinic study reveals that a dose of medication to treat ADHD without a prescription alters heart rate.
