mSpy
Developer(s)London-based tech company
Operating systemiOS
Available inMultilingual
Typemobile and computer parental control monitoring
LicensePaid & Trial
Websitemspy.com

mSpy is a brand of mobile and computer parental control monitoring software for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. The app allows users to monitor and log activity on the client device.[1][2]

History

mSpy was launched as a product for mobile monitoring in 2010 by a London-based tech company.

In 2012, the application allowed parents to monitor not only smartphones but also computers - Windows and Mac.

By 2014, the business grew nearly 400%, and the app's user numbers exceeded the 1 million mark.[3]

In 2016, mLite, a light version of mSpy, became available from Google Play.

In 2015 and 2018, mSpy was the victim of data breaches which released user data.[4]

In 2023, it has become an unusable app with no way for iOS users to monitor the target’s phone, and refunds were not entertained despite not providing the services as promised.

Reception

It was noted that since MSpy runs inconspicuously, there is risk of the software being used illegally. mSpy was called "terrifying" by The Next Web[5] and was featured in NPR coverage of spyware used against victims of stalking and other domestic violence.[6]

In May 2015, Brian Krebs claimed that mSpy was hacked, leaking personal data for hundreds of thousands of users of devices with mSpy installed.[7] mSpy claimed that there was no data leak, but that instead, it was the victim of blackmailers

In September 2018, Krebs claimed and demonstrated that anyone could easily gain access to the mSpy database containing data for millions of users.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Rossman, Jim (May 3, 2014). phone-activity.ece "There are ways of keeping tabs on your kids’ phone activity". Dallasnews.com. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  2. ↑ Shaw, Keith (May 22, 2014). "How far are you willing to go to spy on your employees' smartphones? " Networkworld.com. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  3. ↑ Ong, Josh (November 28, 2013). "mSpy: A terrifying app for spying on another smartphone or tablet user." Thenextweb.com. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Another mSpy leak exposed millions of sensitive user records". SearchSecurity. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
  5. ↑ Josh Ong (2013-11-28). "mSpy: A Terrifying App for Spying on Another Smartphone User". Thenextweb.com. Retrieved 2015-11-08.
  6. ↑ "Smartphones Are Used To Stalk, Control Domestic Abuse Victims : All Tech Considered". NPR. 2014-09-15. Retrieved 2015-11-08.
  7. ↑ "Mobile Spyware Maker mSpy Hacked, Customer Data Leaked — Krebs on Security". Krebsonsecurity.com. 2015-05-14. Retrieved 2015-11-08.
  8. ↑ "For 2nd Time in 3 Years, Mobile Spyware Maker mSpy Leaks Millions of Sensitive Records — Krebs on Security". Krebsonsecurity.com. 2018-09-04. Retrieved 2018-09-04.

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