Refuge and Avast develop a digital tool to keep domestic abuse victims safer at home
• RING Doorbells, Smart TVs and Amazon Alexas are three of the ten most common devices used by domestic abusers
• 48% of women are unaware that in-home tech can be used to facilitate domestic abuse and cyberstalking
• New research indicates that more than 60% of women don’t know where to get advice about securing tech devices
• Charity, Refuge and cybersecurity experts Avast have collaborated on a new interactive tool to empower victims of domestic abuse to take control of tech security
Avast (LSE:AVST), a global leader in digital security and privacy, and Refuge, the national domestic abuse charity have collaborated on a new digital tool which has been launched. The resource has been delivered in response to an increase of tech-enabled domestic abuse reports to Refuge. In-home tech manufacturers such as Amazon, Google and Apple take precautions to mitigate abuse. However, in the wrong hands, internet-connected devices can be used to harm and exert control over people targeted for abuse.
Avast and Refuge’s IoT home safety tool has been designed to highlight how smart home devices can be misused and to offer practical instructions to make these devices secure and inaccessible to domestic abusers.
Nearly half of women surveyed for the project (48%) were unable to name a single device they believed could be vulnerable to abuse. This increased to 60% for those over the age of 55. Further 66% of women did not know where to get information to help secure the devices in their home if they felt they had been compromised by an abuser– rising to 79% for those aged 45 and over.
Common in-home tech that can be used to abuse a partner are:
1. RING doorbells
2. Amazon Alexa & Amazon Echo
3. Google Home Hub
4. Nest systems and smart thermostats
5. Smart TVs
6. Smart Plugs
7. Fitness trackers and Smartwatches (Apple Watch)
8. Wireless systems
9. Smart locks
10. CCTV Cameras
Project research illustrates how such technology is used in abuse scenarios: a little more than half of women in the UK have admin control over the IoT devices in their own homes; one in four (27%) stated that admin access for these devices has not been shared equally or with transparency in their household; and 18% of women said they have no control over the Wi-Fi settings in their home, but their partner or family member does. Further to this, 41% of women in the UK stated that a partner or family member knows the password to their personal devices – with 28% of these women saying that they did not give this password willingly.
Ruth Davison, CEO of Refuge said, “While the findings from this research are deeply concerning, we believe they only scratch the surface of a much harsher reality. Many women might not be able to spot the signs that they have been coerced into giving their password to an abusive partner, or unaware that an abusive member of their household is spying on them through their Wi-Fi. The reality is one in four women will experience some form of domestic abuse in their lifetime, and tech abuse is increasingly part of that problem, which is why Refuge teamed up with Avast. Not only are we trying to raise awareness of this issue, but we want to equip women to mitigate against the potential dangers of these devices in the wrong hands.”
The interactive tool [pictured], replicates a typical home setting, highlighting these devices in situ. When each device is clicked on it will provide women with easily actionable steps to secure the device.
Jaya Baloo, CISO at Avast, said, “The United Nations called domestic abuse and violence against women at the height of the Covid-19 crisis a ‘shadow pandemic’ and tech abuse plays a large part in this growing problem. Our threat researchers found that there has been a 93% increase in the use of spyware and stalkerware apps in the UK since lockdown measures were introduced and we stress-tested these ten devices reported to Refuge. They are all extremely popular and common, so we have focused on providing clear and actionable advice for women on how to keep their devices secured from misuse.”
Louise’s Story of Tech Abuse
Louise*, a tech abuse survivor supported by Refuge, said: “My abuser works in tech and had control over our home Wi-fi. He would tell me I was too stupid to understand it. During lockdown, his abuse escalated, and I needed to take steps to protect myself. I set up some smart home devices to record the abuse.
It never occurred to me that my abusive partner would be able to hack these devices and use them against me; to spy on me, to listen to my calls, to watch me. When I left the house to go out, I’d come back to my things soiled or missing. But when I’d check the logs on my home cameras, the recordings of those times weren’t there.
I couldn’t understand it. I continually doubted myself. My abuser would deny ever having touched anything but would drop hints to let me know he knew the contents of my private conversations. It was terrifying, confusing and traumatic. I didn’t know where to turn for help, but I found Refuge and contacted them for support. They helped me to recognise my experiences as tech abuse and helped me slowly regain control of my devices. Although he no longer lives in my home, I still find it hard to fully relax around my tech. It never leaves the back of my mind that he could still be listening and watching. You’re never free of it.”
The IoT Home Safety tool can be found via this link.
*Name has been changed
