Follow this expert tip to keep malware known as spyware away from your trusted devices.
Sneaky spyware. Experts say it is a widespread threat on the Internet, designed to infect your computer and violate your online security and privacy. It will keep track of your online activity and go to your personal information, stealing passwords from your password list, banking information, your phone number and credit card numbers. It secretly infects your computer and engages in illegal activities, such as identity theft and data breaches.
“Spyware is like that angel or devil you see on someone’s shoulder in a movie,” says Phil Rettinger, president and CEO of Global Cyber Alliance. Spyware is usually there and you look at what you’re doing and then share it with someone you didn’t mean to. So a hacker, an advertiser, or a government might see what you’re doing online, what bank you’re using, and even your password. You can see why that’s dangerous — we live a lot of our lives online, and spyware can make you feel awkward and poor.”
Just as it is easy to fall victim to tip-off or phishing, it is easy to fall prey to spyware. And now, you might be wondering, How can I find out if my computer has been hacked? The bad news is that victims of spyware often do not know that they have been attacked. To help you protect yourself, we asked cybersecurity experts the most pressing question: What is spyware? How do you determine that? And what can you do if your computer has been hacked?
What does spyware do?
Defining spyware may seem complicated, but at its core, spyware is a type of malware (also known as malware) designed to steal your data. It is designed to do this without detection.
Spyware enters your computer and installs itself, secretly monitoring your online activity without your knowledge. It collects your data and forwards it to third parties seeking to benefit from the materials. Sometimes, the data goes to advertising or marketing companies. A less serious (but annoying) side effect is that it also slows down the performance of the device it’s attacking or completely freezes apps.
“By collecting information such as internet habits, authentication credentials, and email addresses from a device without your consent, spyware can result in financial loss as a result of identity theft or credit card fraud,” says Eric Goldstein, assistant executive director of cybersecurity at CISA.And Federal Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency.
How do you get spyware?
Given that spyware’s hallmark is its pleasure (hence the “spy” in its name), it’s no wonder you didn’t install the spyware yourself. At least not on purpose.
Hackers sometimes use what is called “drive-by download” to get spyware onto your computer. They hide the code in a real app or popup. You can visit a hacked website, and without clicking a link, the malware is downloaded to your device.
Phishing, misleading marketing, and Trojan horses are other methods that bad actors use to get spyware on the device. It can be compiled as part of free software that you download from the Internet, or it can get into your computer through security vulnerabilities in your hardware or software — known as exploits or bugs — that give it unauthorized access.
Then there are portable spyware. Yes, iPhones can get viruses.
While your favorite apps may be spying on you, there is a much more deceptive type of spyware: Stalkerware. It can be secretly installed on mobile phones, for example, by an abusive partner or a business owner who wants to track your actions on the company’s device. The programs will track your location, collect emails and texts, listen to phone calls, record conversations, and access photos and videos.
What are the types of spyware?
There are several types of spyware, each of which works in a slightly different way than spying on you. They generally fall into one of these categories:
- Password thieves: No wonder here. This type of spyware is designed to steal your passwords.
- Logging keyboard: This type of malware is created to capture your computer’s activity, from keystrokes to emails, search history, and websites visited.
- adware: Often downloaded with free software, adware programs bombard you with unwanted ads.
- Tracking cookies: Cookies track you around the Internet, collect your browsing habits and use them to personalize your experience on the web. If you are not a big fan of websites and Google is tracking you, you may be tempted to disappear completely from the internet, but that is not 100% possible.
- Portable Spyware: This type of spyware can be transmitted through MMS or SMS and does not require the user to interact with it. It is especially dangerous because when a smartphone or tablet is infected with mobile phone spy software, the camera or microphone can be used to spy on nearby activities and record phone calls. The device’s location can be monitored through its Global Positioning System (GPS).
How can I remove spyware?
Before you remove spyware, you must know that you have spyware. This is not always clear. Signs that your device is infected with spyware include slower processing speed, loss of data usage, and loss of battery life.
Reitinger notes that spyware can be difficult to fight because there are many types, from malware on your computer to tracking cookies that you may have allowed but that track what you’re doing online. “The best things to do is focus on the basics: good e-health,” he says.
Anti-spyware tools can be used to remove spyware. Run a scan with security software (such as McAfee, Norton, Bitdefender, or Windows Defender), which will check and remove threats. You can also remove spyware from your iPhone and Android phone.
Do not forget this important step: after removing the program, it is important to change your password. Now is a smart time to make sure you are using good passwords that hackers will never guess.
How can you prevent spyware?
There are several ways to block spyware. For starters, be sure to use anti-malware software, including the security software built into Windows and iOS. Anti-spyware tools will provide real-time protection by scanning network data and blocking malicious data.
It’s also a good idea to opt for two-factor authentication or multi-factor authentication — you know, “those annoying confirmation texts and emails,” says Scott Shackleford, head of the Cyber Security Risk Management Program at Indiana University in Bloomington. Yes, it may mean additional steps, but they are necessary for online security.
It’s also a good idea to follow the rules below.
- Don’t open emails from senders you don’t know.
- Do not download a file unless it is from a source you trust.
- Hover over a link before clicking on it to make sure you are directed to the correct web page.
- Explore reputable cyber security software that includes real-time protection, such as Norton 360 and Bitdefender.
- Consider antivirus protection for your iPhone or Android phone (like Google Play Protection on Android).
- Be careful about agreeing to cookies.
- Install an anti-tracking browser, such as Brave or Tor. These are useful if you want to perform an anonymous search without being tracked.
- Keep software up-to-date with the latest security, “and make it automatic, if possible,” Shackleford says.
- Adjust your browser’s security settings.
- Avoid clicking on pop-up ads.
- Turn on automatic updates to keep your software “fully patched”.
- Don’t install apps or software you don’t need, and don’t download them from app stores you don’t trust. On the other hand, security apps can actually protect you.
“None of these measures are foolproof,” Shackleford says. “Picture layers of Swiss cheese, but the more you have, the less likely unwanted spyware will slip through.”
The bottom line, Goldstein says, is to implement basic e-health practices. He says “Think”, “Before clicking”.
sources:
- Phil Rettinger, President and CEO of the Global Cyber Alliance
- Eric Goldstein, Assistant Executive Director of Cyber Security at the Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
- Scott Shackleford, Head of the Cyber Security Risk Management Program at Indiana University in Bloomington
- Cisco Umbrella: “Cybersecurity Threat Trends: Phishing and Cryptocurrency Top of the List”
- Global Cyber Alliance: “Enabling a Safe and Trustworthy Internet”
- NCC Group: “Annual Threat Monitor 2021”
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