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mSpy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
mSpy
Developer(s)Virtuoso Holding
Operating systemiOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Available inMultilingual
Typemobile and computer parental control monitoring
LicenseProprietary
Websitemspy.com

mSpy is a brand of mobile and computer parental control monitoring software for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. The app monitors and logs user activity on the client device and sends the data to a personalized dashboard. Data the users can monitor includes text messages, calls, GPS locations, social media chats, and more.[1][2][3][4] It is owned by Virtuoso Holding.[5][6]

History

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mSpy was launched as a product for mobile monitoring by Altercon Group in 2010.[6]

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

In 2013, mSpy became TopTenReviews cell phone monitoring software award winner.[7]

By 2014, the business grew nearly 400%, and the app's user numbers exceeded the 1 million mark.[8]

In 2015, mSpy received the Parents Tested Parents Approved (PTPA) Winner’s Seal of Approval in the United States.[9] In 2015 and 2018, mSpy was the victim of data breaches which released user data.[10]

In 2016, mLite, a light version of mSpy, became available from Google Play. The same year, it was awarded the kidSAFE Certified Seal in the United States.[11]

In 2017, mSpy collaborated with YouTuber and journalist Coby Persin to conduct a social experiment on the dangers of social media and online predators.[12][13][14][14] A social experiment, conducted with parental consent, involved Coby Persin to befriend three children—aged 12, 13, and 14—via Snapchat and then invite them to meet personally. Each of the participants agreed to the meeting and arrived at the designated location. The video of the experiment received widespread attention and helped to raise awareness about the importance of online security and parental controls.[15][16][17][18][19]

In early 2021, mSpy released a new feature - Screenrecorder. The feature allows parents to take screenshots of the kid's screen when they are browsing certain apps.[20]

In 2024, mSpy's Zendesk was compromised by an unknown threat actor, revealing their customer list.[21]

As of 2025, mSpy is compatible with Android, iPhone, and iPad devices. It provides access to various types of data stored on the device, including contact information, calendar entries, emails, SMS messages, browser history, photos, videos, and installed applications. Functions also include GPS tracking, geofencing, keyword alerts etc.[20][22]

Reception

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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[23] and was featured in NPR coverage of spyware used against victims of stalking and other domestic violence.[24] In response mSpy released security updates aimed at reducing the risk of misuse and stated that it "uses encryption protocols to protect user data and that access is restricted to the account holder".

In May 2015, Brian Krebs reported that mSpy was hacked, leaking personal data for hundreds of thousands of users of devices with mSpy installed.[25] mSpy claimed that there was no data leak, but that instead, it was the victim of blackmailers.[citation needed]

In September 2018, Krebs claimed and demonstrated that anyone could easily gain access to the mSpy database containing data for millions of users.[26] The company responded by stating that the exposed data consisted primarily of error logs and incorrect login attempts. Following the incident, mSpy implemented new security measures, changed encryption keys, and reset passwords for affected accounts.[27]

A 2024 Sky News story characterised mSpy as "stalkerware".[28]

Leaked customer support messages from mSpy reveal misuse of its app for illegally monitoring partners and children.[29]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Rossman, Jim (2014-05-03). "There are ways of keeping tabs on your kids' phone activity". dallasnews.com. Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on 2015-02-15. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  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. ^ Eadicicco, Lisa. "You Can Now Buy An iPhone Designed For Spying On Your Significant Other". Business Insider. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  4. ^ "Parents Can Monitor Children's Social Media Activity With mSpy". www.cbsnews.com. CBS Philadelphia. 2014-09-10. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  5. ^ Whittaker, Zack (2024-07-11). "Data breach exposes millions of mSpy spyware customers". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  6. ^ a b "mSpy: Wenn der App-Kundendienst beim Ausspionieren des Partners hilft". DER STANDARD (in Austrian German). Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  7. ^ "Cell Phone Monitoring Software Review 2013". TopTenREVIEWS. Archived from the original on 2013-02-11. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  8. ^ Ong, Josh (November 28, 2013). "mSpy: A terrifying app for spying on another smartphone or tablet user." Thenextweb.com. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  9. ^ "mSpy Got PTPA Winner's Seal of Approval". Cell Phone Spy Software Reviews. Archived from the original on 2015-03-25. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  10. ^ "Another mSpy leak exposed millions of sensitive user records". SearchSecurity. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
  11. ^ "mSpy Parental Monitoring Tool is certified by the kidSAFE Seal Program". kidsafeseal.com. Archived from the original on 2017-02-27. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  12. ^ Jain, Rishabh (2017-11-16). "Netgear Routers To Get Inbuilt Parental Controls". International Business Times. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  13. ^ "Comment surveiller l'activité en ligne de vos enfants du bureau ?". Dynamique-Mag.com (in French). 2018-07-18. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  14. ^ a b Soluri, Theodore (2017-11-15). "Why Should I Monitor My Daughter's Online Activity?". The Good Men Project. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  15. ^ "The Dangers Of Social Media Shown In Social Experiment Video". Irish Tech News. 2015-08-17. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  16. ^ "The real parenting lessons of the 'Child Predator Social Experiment'". fox2now.com. 2015-08-20. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  17. ^ Wallace, Kelly (August 21, 2015). "The real parenting lessons of 'Child Predator Social Experiment'". www.ksl.com. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  18. ^ Wallace, Kelly (2015-08-20). "The real parenting lessons of the 'Child Predator Social Experiment'". CNN. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  19. ^ Coby Persin (2017-11-13). The Dangers Of Snapchat (Child Predator Experiment). Retrieved 2025-05-07 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ a b Williams, Mike (2021-09-21). "mSpy parental control software review". TechRadar. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  21. ^ Whittaker, Zack (2024-07-11). "Data breach exposes millions of mSpy spyware customers". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  22. ^ "mSpy Review mSpy Review 2025 & Top Alternatives". Cybernews. 2024-10-21. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  23. ^ Josh Ong (2013-11-28). "mSpy: A Terrifying App for Spying on Another Smartphone User". Thenextweb.com. Retrieved 2015-11-08.
  24. ^ "Smartphones Are Used To Stalk, Control Domestic Abuse Victims : All Tech Considered". NPR. 2014-09-15. Retrieved 2015-11-08.
  25. ^ "Mobile Spyware Maker mSpy Hacked, Customer Data Leaked — Krebs on Security". Krebsonsecurity.com. 2015-05-14. Retrieved 2015-11-08.
  26. ^ "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.
  27. ^ "The Ukrainian company mSpy producing smartphone tracking software disposed user data in free access - AIN". en.ain.ua. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  28. ^ "'I thought I'd been microchipped': How abusers spy on partners with 'parental control' apps". Sky News. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
  29. ^ Köver, Chris; Schwarzbeck, Martin (2025-01-27). "mSpy-Leak: Vom Partner verwanzt". netzpolitik.org (in German). Retrieved 2025-01-27.
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