This Thursday, April 24, 2025, Netflix released the fifth and final season of the series You. This new batch of episodes continues to tell the adventures of Joe Goldberg, a serial killer who spies on his victims before committing suicide.
To mark the release of the season, Avast warned smartphone users about the rise of stalkerware. In the series, Joe regularly uses spyware to keep an eye on his targets. Implanted on his targets' phones, the viruses allow Joe to spy on messages, calls, photos, and recorded videos. He can also track the target's exact location using the smartphone's GPS. There are several scenes with stalkerware in season 5.
Avast sounds the alarm
As Avast explains, the number of people affected by a spy virus has skyrocketed since the 2020 pandemic. Researchers have recorded an increase of more than 220% worldwide. In most cases, this software is installed by those close to the victims, such as a jealous husband or an abusive parent.
More and more stalkerware is available in the form of Android or iOS apps, intended for parental control. Very often, they are diverted from their official function to spy on loved ones. The clients of these apps are generally called "stalkers."
How do you know if you are a victim of stalkerware?
If you suspect a loved one of having installed stalkerware on your smartphone, we encourage you to Follow the 5-step test suggested by Avast. As a first step, experts recommend "checking your sharing permissions" and looking for "anything unusual". Once installed, spyware needs several permissions to spy on your device. These permissions allow it to access sensitive personal data, such as your messages, call log, contact list, and your smartphone's location. On Android or iOS, you can view the list of permissions granted to apps. If you find an unknown app that is multiplying permissions, it could be stalkerware.
Next, check the names of all the apps installed on your phone. In the list of installed apps, you might find a tracking app. Be careful, "stalkerware is often disguised, either by hiding its icon or by pretending to be a harmless app, such as a Notes, Settings, or Wi-Fi app.".
Then take the time to reduce the sharing of your smartphone's location with as few apps as possible. Just grant location access to apps that really need it. When in doubt, turn it off. Avast also recommends monitoring your smartphone's processor and battery performance. If your phone suddenly starts to lose power and battery life, it could be that a virus is installed on it and is draining its components.
Finally, the security company encourages all Internet users to install a reliable antivirus on their smartphone, prevent "any unauthorized physical access" to the phone, and lock the device with a code, a fingerprint, or even your face.
This isn't the first time You has prompted a backlash from cybersecurity experts. Two years ago, season 4 prompted Kaspersky to denounce the hit series, claiming that the show trivializes online harassment and toxic romantic relationships.
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