{"id":52211,"date":"2024-09-24T09:46:22","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T13:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/?p=52211"},"modified":"2024-10-04T07:31:43","modified_gmt":"2024-10-04T11:31:43","slug":"is-technology-putting-your-relationships-at-risk-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/is-technology-putting-your-relationships-at-risk-2024\/52211\/","title":{"rendered":"Is technology putting your relationships at risk?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The rise of online dating has created a fertile ground for manipulation, and in today\u2019s digital world it\u2019s easy to trust someone you\u2019ve never met in person, sharing personal details or intimate images before you truly understand who they are. In fact, our recent <a href=\"https:\/\/media.kasperskydaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/86\/2024\/07\/15164921\/The-Naked-Truth-Kaspersky.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">study <\/a>reveals that 39% of people aged 25-34 have shared intimate images with someone they\u2019ve never met in real life.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, this openness is often exploited. Whether it\u2019s through intimate image abuse, stalkerware or deepfakes, online daters are increasingly vulnerable to dangers that weren\u2019t as common just a few years ago. With that in mind, here\u2019s a breakdown of the top-three threats to watch out for.<\/p>\n<h2>1. Private photos, public nightmares: the growing threat of image abuse<\/h2>\n<p>Intimate image abuse (IIA), or \u201crevenge porn\u201d is a harmful form of digital abuse. As sharing intimate images becomes more normalized, many feel secure when trusting partners or online matches with personal photos. In our \u201cNaked Truth\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/media.kasperskydaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/86\/2024\/07\/15164921\/The-Naked-Truth-Kaspersky.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">survey<\/a> of 9000 people, nearly half reported experiencing or knowing someone who\u2019d been affected by intimate image abuse. The issue is particularly severe among younger generations, with 69% of 16-24-year-olds admitting that they\u2019ve been exposed to it. Despite the risks, victim-blaming remains common, with <a href=\"https:\/\/media.kasperskydaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/86\/2024\/07\/15164921\/The-Naked-Truth-Kaspersky.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">50% of respondents<\/a> believing that those who share intimate images are responsible if they\u2019re leaked \u2013 reflecting a widespread misunderstanding of consent and privacy.<\/p>\n<h4>How to protect yourself:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Think twice before sharing<\/strong>: \u0441onsider the potential consequences of sharing private images and gauge the level of trust with the recipient.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stay informed<\/strong>: many social media platforms have systems in place to detect and remove non-consensual intimate images. Learn how to report such content.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Manage your passwords wisely<\/strong>: always use a reliable password manager like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/password-manager?icid=gl_kdailyplacehold_acq_ona_smm__onl_b2c_kasperskydaily_wpplaceholder____kpm___\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Kaspersky Password Manager<\/a> to create and store strong, unique passwords for each account. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple platforms, as this can make you more vulnerable to breaches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2. When your apps spy on you: the threat of stalkerware<\/h2>\n<p>Stalkerware is software that secretly tracks a person\u2019s location, messages, and daily activities, often disguised as anti-theft or parental-control tools but used for malicious purposes. In 2023, over <a href=\"https:\/\/media.kasperskycontenthub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/03\/07160820\/The-State-of-Stalkerware-in-2023.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">31,000 cases of stalkerware<\/a> were identified globally \u2014 a 6% rise from the previous year. Countries most affected include Germany, France, and the UK. Many victims are unaware they\u2019re being monitored due to the hidden nature of these apps. Beyond stalkerware, tools like GPS tracking and social media are also being misused, with <a href=\"https:\/\/media.kasperskycontenthub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/03\/07160820\/The-State-of-Stalkerware-in-2023.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">34% of people<\/a> admitting to checking their date\u2019s profiles as \u201cdue diligence\u201d.<\/p>\n<h4>How to protect yourself:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Be vigilant<\/strong>: look for signs of stalkerware on your device, such as unusual battery drain, apps you don\u2019t recognize, or sudden permission changes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Avoid tampering with stalkerware<\/strong>: if you believe stalkerware is on your device, don\u2019t attempt to erase or disable it on your own. This could tip off the perpetrator or delete important evidence that could be used in legal action. Instead, contact a local support organization or consult the <a href=\"https:\/\/stopstalkerware.org\/resources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Coalition Against Stalkerware<\/a> for expert help.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Update your privacy settings<\/strong>: regularly review app permissions and adjust privacy settings to minimize the risk of being monitored.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>3. Deepfake threats: when what you see isn\u2019t real<\/h2>\n<p>Deepfakes use artificial intelligence (AI) to create hyper-realistic fake images, videos and even audio recordings. Once dismissed as low-quality, easy-to-spot tricks, deepfakes have now evolved to become incredibly convincing. Open-source tools have made it easy for anyone with basic tech skills to create deepfakes, making this technology a growing concern in online relationships.<\/p>\n<p>While celebrity deepfakes were the first to capture the public\u2019s attention, ordinary individuals are now becoming victims of this technology. In romantic contexts, deepfakes can be used to create fake compromising images or videos. These materials are then used for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/deepfake-darknet-market\/48112\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">blackmail<\/a>, with perpetrators threatening to release the content unless their demands are met.<\/p>\n<h4>How to protect yourself:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Know the warning signs<\/strong>: be cautious if someone makes threats involving compromising media. They could be using deepfake technology.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Report deepfakes<\/strong>: many platforms now use AI detection tools to flag and remove deepfake content. If you\u2019re targeted, report the content to the platform.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stay informed<\/strong>: awareness is key. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/tag\/deepfakes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Educate yourself<\/a> about deepfake technology and its potential misuse in online dating.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Building a Safer Digital Space: A Call for Education<\/h2>\n<p>Education is key to reducing online dating risks. Consent in the digital world must be ongoing \u2014 not a one-time agreement. <a href=\"https:\/\/media.kasperskydaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/86\/2024\/07\/15164921\/The-Naked-Truth-Kaspersky.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">30% of men<\/a> believe receiving an intimate image means they own it, highlighting a serious issue around digital privacy. Targeted education for boys and men is crucial to address intimate image abuse, stalking, and harassment. As technology reshapes relationships, we must stay informed and vigilant to protect against growing threats like image abuse, stalkerware, and deepfakes.<\/p>\n<p>By understanding these risks and taking steps to protect ourselves, and by installing a comprehensive security solution such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/premium?icid=gl_bb2023-kdplacehd_acq_ona_smm__onl_b2c_kdaily_lnk_sm-team___kprem___\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Kaspersky Premium<\/a>, you can help protect your devices from threats like stalkerware and other malware.<\/p>\n<p>For more details, read our <a href=\"https:\/\/media.kasperskydaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/93\/2024\/09\/23151934\/ECSM-report.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/media.kasperskydaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/93\/2024\/09\/23151917\/Digital-Dating-Dangers-booklet.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">safe dating guide<\/a> and find our official contribution to the European Cybersecurity Month <a href=\"https:\/\/cybersecuritymonth.eu\/countries\/world\/is-technology-making-relationships-more-risky\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe class=\"youtube-player\" type=\"text\/html\" width=\"640\" height=\"390\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2yJ2vPtn8o8?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<input type=\"hidden\" class=\"category_for_banner\" value=\"premium-generic\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The digital age has made meeting new people easier, but it also brings new risks. Online dating, social media, and messaging apps can open the door to both exploitation and abuse in relationships.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2706,"featured_media":52223,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1788,9],"tags":[3839,1625,296,4059,43,732,4299,422,131],"class_list":{"0":"post-52211","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-privacy","8":"category-tips","9":"tag-cyberstalking","10":"tag-dating","11":"tag-online-dating","12":"tag-online-stalking","13":"tag-privacy","14":"tag-research","15":"tag-stalking","16":"tag-threats","17":"tag-tips"},"hreflang":[{"hreflang":"x-default","url":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/is-technology-putting-your-relationships-at-risk-2024\/52211\/"},{"hreflang":"en-in","url":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.co.in\/blog\/is-technology-putting-your-relationships-at-risk-2024\/28055\/"},{"hreflang":"en-ae","url":"https:\/\/me-en.kaspersky.com\/blog\/is-technology-putting-your-relationships-at-risk-2024\/23319\/"},{"hreflang":"en-us","url":"https:\/\/usa.kaspersky.com\/blog\/is-technology-putting-your-relationships-at-risk-2024\/30556\/"},{"hreflang":"en-gb","url":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.co.uk\/blog\/is-technology-putting-your-relationships-at-risk-2024\/28209\/"},{"hreflang":"es","url":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.es\/blog\/is-technology-putting-your-relationships-at-risk-2024\/30456\/"},{"hreflang":"it","url":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.it\/blog\/is-technology-putting-your-relationships-at-risk-2024\/29216\/"},{"hreflang":"fr","url":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.fr\/blog\/is-technology-putting-your-relationships-at-risk-2024\/22251\/"},{"hreflang":"de","url":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.de\/blog\/is-technology-putting-your-relationships-at-risk-2024\/31673\/"},{"hreflang":"en-au","url":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com.au\/blog\/is-technology-putting-your-relationships-at-risk-2024\/34138\/"},{"hreflang":"en-za","url":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.co.za\/blog\/is-technology-putting-your-relationships-at-risk-2024\/33792\/"}],"acf":[],"banners":"","maintag":{"url":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/tag\/online-dating\/","name":"online dating"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2706"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52211"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52211\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52285,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52211\/revisions\/52285"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52211"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}