if the targeted phone has hellospy on it if they do a factory reset does it wipe that install out

Kaspersky Lab has now developed new attention grabbing alert that clearly notifies users of Kaspersky Internet Security for Android if such programs are found on their devices. Yet, in most countries their status remains vague. While it seems hard to even imagine that such a blatant privacy invasion can be so common and easily accessible, stalkerware programs have been exposed and publicly criticized multiple times. In 2018, Kaspersky Lab products detected stalkerware programs on 58,487 unique mobile devices – proving the severity of the threat. While installing stalkerware on someone else’s device requires physical access, it can be done quickly by downloading an app onto the phone from a distributor’s website. While functionality varies, it often allows the person who installed it to access their victim’s device information, SMS messages, photographs, social media conversations, geolocation data and, in certain cases, to transfer audio and camera recordings in real time. This is often done without the victim’s knowledge, leading to these types of programs being commonly referred to as ‘stalkerware’. Usually used to spy on partners or ex-partners, there is nothing to stop people using such programs to target specific individuals for malicious purposes. For this reason, Kaspersky Lab decided to introduce a special alert for such programs, enabling those affected to decide for themselves what they want to do about it.Ĭommercial spyware programs are background-running apps installed on phones, which can be used to monitor and track device activity.

In some cases, a program’s download page specifically states the software is intended to be used for secretly spying on the user. While this kind of software is deemed to be legal, the program’s presence is often both unwanted and unknown by the user affected. Kaspersky Lab has upgraded its Kaspersky Internet Security for Android with Privacy Alert – a new feature that warns the users if their private information is being monitored via commercially available spyware.

If the targeted phone has hellospy on it if they do a factory reset does it wipe that install out