Cell Phone Safety for Intimate Partner Violence Survivors

There are apps that can be discreetly downloaded onto a mobile device, giving an abuser the ability to listen in on conversations, track their partner’s location, and read personal information stored on the device. However, these malicious apps aren’t the only way offenders can accomplish these attacks.

Abusers often misuse different features of popular apps, such as Tile Trackers and Snapchat Snap Maps, in order to track their partner’s locations. This can be harmful because it allows your abuser to see where you are, essentially at all times. This is why it is important to keep your smartphone safe and turn off your location on certain apps so that your followers can’t see where you are.

Spyware is a type of malicious malware that an abusive hacker secretly downloads onto a device. Spyware is capable of gaining access to personal information and much more. For example, mobile spyware gives a user the ability to:

• Hack into GPS tracking and other location services;
• Retrieve contacts;
• Access photos and videos;
• Read emails and text messages;
• Review call logs;
• View internet browser history;
• Use the keylogger function, which records everything that is typed;
• Record passwords, usernames, and other private information.

Some of the most common types of mobile spyware apps include:

• mSpy: mSpy, also referred to as StealthGenie, is a mobile app that is often downloaded by parents to monitor what their children do on their cell phones. Although it is advertised as a parental monitoring app, abusers may choose to download it on their partner’s phone — without them knowing — to keep track of their call history, track their GPS location, and access different social media apps such as FaceBook and Snapchat.
• Mobistealth: Mobistealth is an app that aids consumers with remotely monitoring cell phones and computers, without having to jailbreak the device. Like most spyware apps, Mobistealth gives users the ability to monitor text messages, calls, social media pages, and check an individual’s location.

Have you ever heard foreign sounds such as clicking, static, echoes, or distant voices during phone calls? These sounds often occur when the person on the other line is using a speakerphone or does not have great service. However, they could also be signs that your phone is compromised. Keeping this in mind, even if these issues are caused by the other person, it is still a good idea to reboot or factory reset your phone.

If there is an abnormal spike in data usage, this could be a sign of spyware or stalkerware on the device. This happens because the spyware is working in overdrive to obtain information, record calls, and monitor personal information, therefore using more data. The way you can tell whether your data usage has increased is to review billing statements from prior months.

If there’s stalkerware on your phone, text messages may take longer to send, apps may take longer to open, and internet usage may be slowed down significantly. This could be because the spyware is taking up large amounts of data, preventing messages and apps from using the data they need to send at a fast pace.

Background activity on your cell phone such as unused apps and opened web pages is sure to drain your battery. Mix that in with unauthorized background activity, like spyware and stalkerware, and your battery will drain faster.

The abuser may demand physical access to the device, and become angry if you tell them no. This is a scenario that could start out subtle, and evolve into a much larger issue.

For example, they may start by saying “Let me hold your phone for you while you do that,” or “I can text back for you.” They may do this as an attempt to casually gain access to your phone, without coming off as sneaky or using it without permission. You may notice this pattern and start telling them “no” more often. If you notice that they tend to get angrier with each denial, it could be a sign that they were only using your phone to gain access to your personal information.

If you are on the phone having a private conversation with another individual, it’s safe to say that the conversation stays between the two of you. If you notice that your intimate partner starts speaking to you about different things that were said while you were on this phone call, it may be a sign that they were listening without your knowing. If you hear unfamiliar sounds such as echoes, static, ticking noises, or more — end the conversation immediately and tell the other person you’ll call back later.

Keep in mind that if they are repeating parts of the conversation you thought were private, there is always a possibility that they may have accidentally overheard you speaking on the phone when you were home together.

A good way to differentiate between accidental and intentional eavesdropping is to pay attention to what part of the conversation they are referring to. If they are repeating what the person on the other line said, or you are 100% sure they were not around when the call was made, then this could be a sign they were listening in via mobile spyware.

Unless your partner is there with you when the photos are taken, it would be difficult for them to know the specifics of your camera roll. If you notice that they know details about photos you took when they weren’t around, it can be a clear indication that they had or have access to your photo album at some point.

If you recently left the home and didn’t post about your location, yet your partner knows where you are and/or where you have been, chances are they are tracking your location.

When you are a victim of intimate partner violence or any other type of domestic abuse, it is important to refrain from posting your location, especially on social media. This could lead your abuser directly to your location, which is extremely harmful if you are trying to get away. In such a situation you should call the police immediately.