Computer users face many dangers. Some of us are not even aware of them, and because we don't know what we are at risk, we cannot protect ourselves effectively. One of them is spyware. The name is a bit strange and doesn't say much, so today we will try to introduce you to this issue.

What is spyware? What are the risks?

Let's start with the basics.

Spyware:

is a spyware program that a user most often unknowingly installs on their computer or mobile device.

This is a very general term because spyware is different. Their task is to collect information and data. They connect to the operating system and run in the background.

No matter how spyware interferes with your hardware, it always causes damage. In addition, spyware is hard to detect and not easy to get rid of. It should also be said that it does not work like typical viruses. The software will not copy itself and will not damage data or the device itself. It is much worse because the lack of spying activity and detection problems lead to the theft of important information. It is usually even difficult to determine which information.

Spyware can intercept:

• which keys were pressed,
• screenshots,
• email addresses,
• data from web forms,
• credit card numbers.

It is easy to imagine what this will lead to. From the loss of private information to the risk of losing money. Spyware - is a real threat that lurks in the background of every user. It should not be underestimated, and you should know how to protect yourself effectively.

How to recognize spyware?

As already mentioned, a spyware virus is very difficult to detect. However, it is not impossible and some symptoms should make us suspicious.

• Additional toolbars and search engines that you didn't add yourself is a reason to believe that spyware is running on your device.
• Pop-up notification windows or pop-up ads may indicate the presence of spyware.
• General system slowdownfrequent downloads of information and data can also be the result of spyware running in the background.

In many cases, spyware puts a lot of strain on your computer. CPU and RAM usage increases and you can often see an increase in network traffic load.

Types and kinds of spyware

Technology is constantly evolving, and so are new viruses. If you want to categorize the types and kinds of spyware as easily as possible, you need to divide them into four main groups: adware, cookies (surprising, right?), trojans, and monitoring systems. Let's take a look at the most popular spyware.

• Keylogger is one of the most popular types of spyware which most people have probably heard of before. It is used to control the keystrokes on the keyboard.
• Advertising software - is all the advertising that annoys us, that takes the user to another destination. You shouldn't expect it to be a safe place.
• Trojan programs - are extremely dangerous because they steal passwords. Often for banking.
• Web beacon - images, which are most often attached to email messages and allow you to track user behavior, including whether a message was opened and what interactions were made.
• Rootkit - allows a hacker to install tools that will give him remote access to equipment.
• Cookie - It may be interesting for some, but cookies are a type of spyware. True, they are less harmful and many users agree to them, but they also allow you to be tracked online.

How to detect spyware on a computer and phone?

The above symptoms may indicate that a spyware virus is running on your computer or phone in the background. In the case of a PC, we can also try to check the programs that start automatically when you start the computer.

Spyware stores a lot of data, so if your hard drive is regularly running out of space, this could also be a sign of spyware.

In the case of phones, there are two key signs - fast battery drain and fast cellular data consumption.

When we notice these symptoms, it's best to check which apps are using the most resources.

Anti-spyware programs and well-known antiviruses will also be useful.

How to protect yourself from spyware?

The most effective defense is awareness and knowledge. It is thanks to them that we can often avoid infection of our device. What does this mean?

• We do not install programs from unknown sources.
• We control attachments in messages.
• We protect all our confidential data. For example, we use password encryption programs, i.e. simply a password manager.

It certainly doesn't hurt, and it often helps if you turn on your firewall. What you need most is an anti-spyware program. Most popular antiviruses also have anti-spyware capabilities and prevent them from infecting you.

How to remove spyware?

Some antivirus programs have built-in anti-spyware protection and can do this job. It should be emphasized that not all of them offer this feature. The second option is a special program to remove trojans and other types of spyware. Here you need to remember that it will not replace a typical antivirus program. They can be a good complement to it.

The most popular and effective spyware detection tools include:

• SUPERAntiSpyware,
• SpywareBlaster,
• IObit Malware Fighter,
• AdwCleaner.

Do you prefer virus removal programs with built-in anti-spyware protection? Choose one of these:

• Norton,
• McAfee,
• Avira,
• TotalAV,
• Bitdefender,
• Malwarebytes.