Kaspersky has released a new report highlighting the growing risks of technology-enabled abuse, including digital stalking, doxing, and covert surveillance through stalkerware applications. The global study revealed that 8.5% of respondents had experienced digital stalking, while 5.4% reported being victims of doxing.
The report explores how digital technologies such as smartphones, social media platforms, and online communication tools are increasingly being used to facilitate abusive behavior. According to Kaspersky, tech-enabled abuse includes cyberstalking, impersonation, online harassment, unauthorized monitoring, and the exposure of personal information online.
The company noted that such abuse often goes unreported because victims may not recognize these activities as harmful or criminal. The findings also showed that the threat landscape is expanding rapidly, with cybercriminals and malicious actors increasingly offering doxing and surveillance services on dark web forums.
Kaspersky’s Digital Footprint Intelligence researchers discovered an emerging underground market where stalking and doxing services are being sold for prices ranging from $50 to $4,000. The company also identified 33 previously unseen stalkerware families during 2024 and 2025, with affected users detected across more than 160 countries.
“Technology-enabled abuse often goes unnoticed because many victims do not recognize digital monitoring and online harassment as forms of abuse,” said Tatyana Shishkova, Lead Security Researcher and Acting Head of Research Center Americas & Europe at Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT).
Stalkerware refers to software applications that secretly monitor a victim’s device activity, including messages, calls, browsing history, geolocation, and photos. According to the report, these tools often operate invisibly in the background, making detection difficult for users.
“Stalkerware allows perpetrators to remotely access a victim’s smartphone from virtually anywhere while remaining hidden from the victim,” said Tatyana Shishkova. “This makes awareness and early detection extremely important for users who suspect suspicious monitoring activity.”
Kaspersky also emphasized the importance of cybersecurity awareness and recommended that potential victims avoid immediately deleting suspected stalkerware, as doing so could alert the perpetrator. Instead, the company advised users to seek assistance from support organizations and use trusted security solutions to identify suspicious applications.
The report is part of Kaspersky’s broader efforts through the Coalition Against Stalkerware, an international initiative focused on combating cyberstalking and supporting victims of digital abuse.
