Global study reveals surge in digital stalking, doxing — Kaspersky

Kaspersky Warns of Rising Tech-Enabled Abuse Through Stalking, Doxing
Global cybersecurity company Kaspersky has raised fresh concerns over the growing threat of technology-enabled abuse, revealing that millions of people worldwide are increasingly exposed to digital stalking, doxing and covert online surveillance.

In a new report released on Thursday, Kaspersky disclosed that 8.5 per cent of respondents in its global study reported experiencing digital stalking, while 5.4 per cent said they had been victims of doxing — the malicious publication of private or personal information online.

The report, which examines the evolving landscape of cyber abuse, also highlights the rapid expansion of dark web services dedicated to stalking activities and the continued proliferation of stalkerware applications.

Technology-enabled abuse refers to harmful or controlling behaviour carried out through digital devices and online platforms. This includes cyberstalking, online harassment, impersonation, unauthorised monitoring, exclusion, and the misuse of personal data.

According to the report, many victims fail to recognise these behaviours as abuse because they are often embedded in daily digital interactions and leave little or no physical evidence.

Associate Professor at University College London (UCL) Computer Science and Head of the Gender and Tech Research Lab, Dr. Leonie Maria Tanczer, said the absence of a universally accepted definition of tech-enabled abuse remains a major challenge.

“Technology-enabled abuse is still not widely recognised as a distinct category of harm, in part because there is no shared understanding of what it includes, which this study vividly highlights,” she said.

“This lack of clarity means many experiences go unnamed, unreported, and unsupported. Without a common framework, it remains difficult to measure the scale of the problem or respond to it effectively.”

Kaspersky’s Digital Footprint Intelligence experts also uncovered a thriving underground marketplace for doxing services on dark web forums, with prices ranging from 50 dollars to as much as 4,000 dollars depending on the level of information requested.

The cybersecurity firm further revealed that cybercriminals and abusers are increasingly deploying sophisticated stalkerware tools capable of tracking individuals, monitoring communications and extracting sensitive personal data without victims’ knowledge.

Stalkerware refers to software applications or devices secretly installed on mobile phones or computers to monitor another person’s private activities.

These tools can access location data, text messages, photographs, browsing history, voice calls and even keystrokes remotely.

Kaspersky said it identified 33 previously unseen stalkerware families between 2024 and 2025, signalling continuous development and growing sophistication in the cyber abuse ecosystem. Victims of such surveillance activities were detected in more than 160 countries globally.

Lead Security Researcher and Acting Head of Research Center Americas & Europe at Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team, Tatyana Shishkova, warned that many victims remain unaware they are being monitored because stalkerware typically operates invisibly in the background.

“Stalkerware, which can be easily downloaded and installed by anyone with an Internet connection, allows perpetrators to remotely access a victim’s smartphone from anywhere,” she said.

“Since the software operates in the background without being visible, most victims remain completely unaware that their every move and action is being monitored.”

She stressed the importance of recognising suspicious activity and taking appropriate safety measures if users suspect digital surveillance.

As part of efforts to combat the growing menace, Kaspersky said it remains a co-founder of the Coalition Against Stalkerware, an international alliance of cybersecurity firms, non-governmental organisations, research institutions and law enforcement agencies working to tackle cyberstalking and support victims of online abuse.

The company advised users who suspect they may be victims of stalkerware to avoid immediately deleting suspicious applications, warning that doing so could alert perpetrators and potentially escalate danger.

Instead, users were encouraged to seek help through trusted support organisations and use secure devices when searching for assistance or communicating about their situation.

Kaspersky also recommended monitoring for warning signs such as unusually fast battery drain, unexplained data usage, unfamiliar applications appearing on devices, or suspicious system settings being enabled without consent.

The firm further urged users to protect online accounts with strong and unique passwords while using reputable cybersecurity tools capable of detecting hidden monitoring software and unauthorised tracking devices.

Cybersecurity experts say the findings underscore the urgent need for greater public awareness, stronger digital safety education and coordinated international action against emerging forms of technology-facilitated abuse.