• New investigative research with 2,000¹ UK women highlights the growing problem of tech abuse
• Refuge and Avast launch new interactive tool to empower women to secure the connected devices within their homes

London, United Kingdom, October 19, 2021 – Avast (LSE:AVST), a global leader in digital security and privacy, and Refuge, the national domestic abuse charity, have outlined the top ten internet-connected (IoT) devices that are most commonly reported by victims of domestic abuse as being used against them. For most people, smart devices offer convenience in the home and while manufacturers such as Amazon, Google and Apple take precautions to mitigate abuse, in the wrong hands, internet-connected devices can be used by abusers to harm and exert control over their partners. Refuge has experienced increased reports from women seeking guidance on how to secure their technology, and support with the most common devices reported to Refuge as follows: 

• RING doorbells
• Amazon Alexa & Amazon Echo
• Google Home Hub
• Nest systems and smart thermostats 
• Smart TVs
• Smart Plugs
• Fitness trackers and Smartwatches (Apple Watch)
• Wireless systems
• Smart locks
• CCTV Cameras

Despite the reports Refuge has received, wider research of 2,000 women in the UK carried out by Avast and Refuge found that nearly half (48%) were unable to name a single device they believed could be vulnerable to abuse, increasing to 60% for those over the age of 55. Further to this, 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.

The research also illustrates how such technology is used in abuse scenarios: just over half (64%) 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. Furthermore, 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.”

To help women regain control of their digital devices and environment, Avast and Refuge have joined forces to launch an IoT home safety tool: https://refugetechsafety.org/hometech. This interactive tool is designed to highlight the ways smart home devices can be misused and help women keep their devices safe and free from abuse.  

The interactive tool [pictured below] 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 the 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.”

*Name has been changed

The IoT Home Safety tool can be found here: https://refugetechsafety.org/hometech 

¹Research Methodology: This research was conducted by Censuswide in July 2021, with 2,000 women in the UK aged 18 and over.

-ENDS-

About Refuge:
Refuge supports more than 7,000 women and children on any given day and runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which is the gateway to accessing specialist support across the country. More than one in four women in England and Wales experiences domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime, and two women a week are killed by a current or former partner.

Please signpost to Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247, available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for free, confidential specialist support. Or visit www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk to fill in a webform and request a safe time to be contacted or to access live chat (live chat available 3pm-10pm, Monday to Friday). 

Visit Refuge’s Tech Safety Website at www.RefugeTechSafety.org for information on tech abuse and to find guidance on how to secure your personal and home devices. For real-time automated guidance on how to secure your devices, Refuge also has a Tech Safety Tool.

About Avast:
Avast (LSE:AVST), a FTSE 100 company, is a global leader in digital security and privacy. With over 435 million users online, Avast offers products under the Avast and AVG brands that protect people from threats on the internet and the evolving IoT threat landscape. The company’s threat detection network is among the most advanced in the world, using machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies to detect threats in real time. Avast digital security products for Mobile, PC or Mac are top-ranked and certified by VB100, AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, SE Labs and others. Avast is a member of Coalition Against Stalkerware, No More Ransom and Internet Watch Foundation. Visit: www.avast.com.

Keep in touch with Avast:

• Follow us on Twitter: @Avast
• For security and privacy insights, visit the Avast blog: https://blog.avast.com/
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Research Methodology: This research was conducted by Censuswide in July 2021, with 2,000 women in the UK aged 18 and over.