How to Locate People You Care About Without Stalking Apps

The well-known Netflix mini-series Baby Reindeer, inspired by a true story, portrays a man who had a female admirer who professed to care for him and stalked him for more than four years. With the rise in security concerns for our loved ones, there is a thin line between showing concern by tracking and stalking. According to Kaspersky, 23% of people have encountered some form of online stalking from someone they have recently started dating. 

Nowadays, people use stalking apps and mask it as showing concern over someone. According to a recent New York Times article, there is a thin line between stalking and tracking. Even in situations that we might deem fit to check in on our close friends and family, you must understand that the difference between stalking and tracking is consent. We will discuss the common apps used for stalking and provide tips on locating your loved ones without using stalking apps.

What Is Stalkerware?

Stalkerware is software or an app that allows a third party to track your device’s location and activities without your knowledge. These apps have most, if not all, features that parental control apps have, and it might be hard to differentiate between the two. They can be used to track locations – commonly considered GPS stalking, to monitor communications on the target device or steal files and intimate data. Stalkerware apps give one access to everything from messages to photos and videos. Some stalking apps may even have the ability to listen in on your phone calls.

These apps often operate in stealth mode and without the knowledge or permission of the target. With smartphones being the primary means of communication for most people, it is important to understand the difference between GPS stalking and tracking. Let’s explore the clear distinction.

Difference Between GPS Stalking and Tracking

We’ve established that there’s a close resemblance between parental control apps and apps used for stalking. They have similar features, but they are used differently. The only way we can differentiate the two is by understanding what stalking and tracking are.

GPS stalking is the use of a global positioning system (GPS) to track someone’s location without their consent. Every modern phone comes equipped with GPS in it. Usually, it is used with apps like the Find My iPhone app and the location feature to locate the device when lost. It may be used for other purposes like navigation, geotagging of photos and videos, fitness tracking, location-based services such as weather updates, and much more. 

With access to all these features, GPS can be used by phone stalkers to do more than just find the location of a target device. It may be used to track a person’s daily routine, access their sensitive personal data, and exploit vulnerabilities in their privacy. Stalkers can gather information about a person’s habits, frequent locations, and social interactions. This might create opportunities for further harassment or invasion of privacy. Additionally, the misuse of GPS can lead to threats, intimidation, and even physical harm if someone uses the information to confront or ambush the individual being tracked. 

On the other hand, tracking is the use of GPS to track the geolocation of a target device. For tracking to happen, consent must be obtained from the target person. In apps like Find My iPhone app, the target device can only be tracked when the device’s Apple ID is shared or when they consent to being tracked via Family Sharing groups. 

Types of Stalkerware Apps

You might be wondering, “What apps do stalkers use?” If that’s the case, then you’re in luck! In this discussion, we’ll explore the types of stalkerware apps commonly misused.

1. Communication Monitoring Apps. These types of apps are used to track and monitor communication on a target device. They are used to access information such as incoming and outgoing messages, calls, and emails. They can also record phone calls and log keystrokes of every email and message sent.
   A good example is Highster Mobile – a remote cell phone tracker that allows its users to access a device’s location, texts, and calls. It claims to be able to access social media apps and can be used to monitor both iPhone and Android devices. 
2. Location Tracking Apps. Stalkerware apps that fall in this category track the location of the target device based on the Wi-Fi network the device is connected to. Even without the device being connected to a Wi-Fi network, they are able to pinpoint the exact location of the device using GPS.
   The GEO tracker app is an example of a stalkerware app in this category. It allows users to track location using Wi-Fi and GPS and gives real-time location data of the target device even without Wi-Fi connectivity. 
3. Apps That Steal Files and Intimate Data. These apps are always lurking in the background, collecting and sending data to a server the stalker can access. With the ability to access photos, videos, and files, all this information is made accessible to the stalker. 
   A commonly known app that falls in this category is Spyera. With features such as a keylogger, access to phone calls, messages, phone apps, and much more, it is no wonder that Spyera is popular among stalkers. It is also capable of recording the target device’s immediate surroundings. It is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows PCs, and macOS devices. 

Stalkerware Apps List

Here is a detailed stalkerware apps list to look out for:

1. Spynger – This is spyware that’s marketed as a tool to catch a cheater, but it raises serious privacy concerns and lacks user reviews. It monitors keystrokes, tracks the target device’s location, and monitors social media, calls, and SMS. It also provides access to photos and videos stored on the device and records all internet searches.
2. Phonsee – This is an iPhone app that tracks a device’s location in real time. It also monitors browsing habits, social media, messages, and more in an invasive way.
3. Highster Mobile – This is a remote cell phone tracker app that grants access to a device’s location, texts, calls, and more. It is available on Android and iOS platforms but requires rooting to install on Android. There have been numerous reports of it not performing as advertised, and its customer support leaves a lot to be desired. 
4. TheTruthSpy- This is a free app that tracks phone calls, messages, and GPS location. It is also capable of monitoring apps like Snapchat and Viber. In 2022, TechCrunch exposed a vulnerability that TheTruthSpy has that allows hackers to access sensitive customer data. 
5. AndroidLost – This is an Android stalkerware that can read text messages and offers remote control of the target device. With it, stalkers can control their victim’s phones and track their activities. As a testament to its suspicious nature, it was withdrawn from the Google Play Store due to security concerns.

Why GEOfinder Is Not a Phone Stalker

GEOfinder is a phone number tracker that allows you to get the precise location of any phone number on a map. It does not fall in the category of apps used for stalking because it explicitly asks for the consent of the target. 

To use GEOfinder to find your loved one’s device’s location, you send an SMS embedded with a tracking link to the device whose location you wish to find. The owner of the target device has to click on the link and accept to share their location with you before tracking is initiated. It is compatible with any phone model and supports all mobile networks. It also allows you to view the location of devices protected by VPN. 

While GEOfinder provides a way of getting your loved one’s location with their consent, the same technology might be used with malicious intent and constitute stalking. Consequently, understanding how to protect devices against stalkerware is paramount. Below are some effective strategies you can use to protect your devices. 

How to Protect a Device Against Stalkerware

Before we can begin to tackle how to protect your device, it is important to understand how stalkerware apps find themselves on your device. Here are some of the ways that stalkerware can be installed on your device:

• Phishing Attacks: Most apps used by a phone stalker are installed through phishing attacks. This is when you receive deceptive messages or emails containing links or attachments. The apps are inadvertently installed on your device when you click on the links or attachments.
• Social Engineering: Stalkers can appeal to your emotions to manipulate you into providing sensitive information or granting permissions that will allow the installation of stalkerware apps onto your device.
• Unsecured Wi-Fi networks: Connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks exposes your device to malware, which could include stalkerware. These harmful apps are installed when you install updates while using such networks.

Other ways include physical access, malicious apps that pose as legitimate apps, unattended vulnerabilities, and much more. Let’s now discuss ways you can protect your phone and prevent stalkerware apps from getting into your device. 

1. Use an Antivirus. Antivirus is software that is designed to detect and destroy viruses and malware such as stalkerware. This software lets you know when any app you want to download is safe to use and ensures that you only install apps that are free of viruses.
2. Strong passwords and security settings. Nowadays, we have biometrics and facial recognition as part of phone security. Pairing this with a good and strong password will prevent any physical access to your phone unless you have given explicit permission. 
3. Avoid clicking unknown links and attachments. We’ve established that stalking apps are commonly installed by clicking on unknown links sent during phishing attacks. Always avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments received from unknown senders. 
4. Regularly update your apps and devices. Always ensure that your device and apps are always up to date. Updates often include the latest security updates and patches that help seal vulnerabilities that could be exploited by stalking apps. 

Other precautions you could take include being cautious about who has access to your phone, securing your Wi-Fi network, and educating yourself and others on stalking apps and how to prevent phone stalkers. 

Conclusion

Understanding how stalkerware operates is crucial for ensuring personal safety. It is essential to remain vigilant about the use of stalking apps and only use apps like GEOfinder to locate your loved ones. Employing protective measures by using antivirus apps can also protect you from the dangers that might arise from the use of stalking apps.