What is Spyware?

Spyware is used to gain access to private information. It’s used to infect your device and crawl through your private data to steal information like passwords and usernames, email addresses or financial information like credit card numbers.

Spyware represents a significant security risk to company-owned networks as well. When installed on a large network, spyware can be used to access huge databases of personal information, which can result in leaked company secrets to competitors, locking users out of a system, exposing their information, damaging data or providing access to other bad actors where it could be held for ransom or used in other malicious ways.

Different types of spyware do different things and are introduced into a computer or data system in different ways. In some cases, the malware is disguised as something familiar that a user engages with, or it can be installed without the user’s knowledge.

Here are some common examples of spyware: 

As the name implies, adware displays unwanted advertisements on your computer or mobile device. You might be infected with adware when you install a free application or visit an unsecured website. Legitimate ad-supported software allows you to consent to promotions and provides a revenue stream for the company, enabling them to offer you a free product. Malicious adware, however, can be distributed through programs by third parties. Their objective is to spread viruses, spyware and other software containing malicious code by getting you to click on links to malicious websites that are embedded in advertisements. 

Named for the Trojan Horse the Greeks used to penetrate the ancient city of Troy, this common form of malware is disguised as a legitimate program. Trojan horse viruses are typically disguised as innocent-looking email attachments. Once downloaded by an unsuspecting user, the virus takes control of the computer and can spread rapidly across any network it’s connected to.

There are many different variations of Trojan horse viruses, each designed to infiltrate and exploit computers and networks in a different way.

Search engines, social media platforms and shopping sites all track our browsing behavior using cookies, account tracking, web beacons and browser fingerprinting. By using these internet tracking methods to trace your online activities, cybercriminals can gain access to sites where your personal information is stored and then push false advertisements containing malware to you based on your customer data.

Considered to be an advanced form of spyware, system monitors track browsing habits, frequently navigated sites, emails, webchats, app usage or social media activity using a type of system monitor called a keylogger, which can help cybercriminals hack your passwords by tracking your keystrokes. 

Any device that can connect to the internet can be potentially be infected with spyware, but you have to take some action to let the malicious attackers in, even if you’re doing so accidentally. Spyware creators use tricks to persuade you to give them access to your device by enticing you to download free software or open an innocent-looking email attachment.

You might also become infected with spyware if you:

This depends largely on the type of attack and the size of the target. For an individual, identity theft, being sent ransomware or theft of personal data is a risk.

Damage caused by spyware can include:

Spyware works undercover, but it can affect your devices in ways that can tip you off that it’s there. Like the human body running an elevated temperature as it fights off illness, your device may begin to run slowly or crash unexpectedly because of a spyware infection.

You might have spyware on your device if you notice:

There are several spyware protection measures that you can adopt to keep you safe from these kinds of attacks, including: