A new global study by Kaspersky has found that 45.7% of respondents experienced at least one form of tech-enabled abuse in the past twelve months, yet only 32% correctly understand what the term means, revealing a significant awareness gap that leaves many incidents unnamed and unaddressed.
The research, based on responses from 7,600 participants across 19 countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, and India, defines tech-enabled abuse as harmful behaviour carried out or amplified through digital technologies, ranging from online harassment and exclusion to cyberstalking, impersonation, and unauthorised device monitoring.
Common forms of abuse
Among those who experienced tech-enabled abuse, the most common form was being intentionally blocked or excluded online (16.7%), followed by receiving offensive or rude messages (15.1%). On average, affected individuals encountered 2.7 different types of abusive behaviour. Digital stalking was reported by 8.5% of respondents, while 5.4% said they had been doxxed.
Kaspersky’s Digital Footprint Intelligence team identified a growing dark web ecosystem of doxxing services costing between $50 and $4,000, as well as advanced stalkerware capable of silently accessing a target device’s location, messages, call history, and browsing activity.
Stalkerware landscape
Kaspersky’s data shows more than 34,000 users were affected by stalkerware in 2024-2025, bringing the five-year total to 127,000 worldwide. During that period, 33 previously unseen stalkerware families were identified. Russia, Brazil, and India ranked among the most affected countries.
Stalkerware operates in the background without being visible, meaning most victims remain completely unaware that their every move is being monitored. That is why it is highly important to know how to identify such activity, said Tatyana Shishkova, Lead Security Researcher at Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team.
Kaspersky recommends that anyone who suspects stalkerware on their device avoid immediately removing it, as this may alert the perpetrator, and instead contact a support organisation using a trusted, unmonitored device. The company is a co-founder of the Coalition Against Stalkerware, an international working group involving IT firms, NGOs, and law enforcement.
