What Is Spyware?
Although it sounds like something James Bond would employ, spyware is all too real. Spyware is any software that installs itself on your computer and starts covertly monitoring your online behavior without your knowledge or permission. Spyware is a kind of malware that secretly gathers information about a person or organization and relays this data to other parties. In some cases, these may be advertisers or marketing data firms, which is why spyware is sometimes referred to as “adware.” It is installed without user consent by methods such as a drive-by download, a trojan included with a legitimate program or a deceptive pop-up window.
Spyware uses your internet connection to relay personal information such as your name, address, browsing habits, preferences, interests or downloads. Other forms of spyware hijack your browser to point it to another website, cause your device to place calls or send texts automatically, or serve annoying ads even when you are offline. Spyware that steals your username, password or other credentials is referred to as a “keylogger” – an insidious prerequisite for cyber crime.
Signs of a spyware infection can include unwanted behaviors and degradation of system performance. It can eat up CPU capacity, disk usage and network traffic. Stability issues such as applications freezing, failure to boot, difficulty connecting to the internet and system crashes are also common.
10 Signs Someone’s Spying on Your Computer
1. Laptop discharges too fast.
If some unwanted software is running in the background while your laptop is on, it uses its central processor power. Some programs like this can be spyware or viruses. A short battery life can also be a sign that someone’s cryptomining with your processor or it’s infected with malware. They cause a computer to get hot, and laptops to discharge faster than usual.
2. Programs act up and crash frequently.
Hackers are always looking for new ways to collect your data. They can put a code into your apps to make them collect all the needed information. This can make an app run slower, act up, and crash a lot. To protect yourself, try not to put your financial data like your credit card numbers or codes into apps, and always create a complicated password.ADVERTISEMENThttps://6d4ae6e018ff05566ff7e12431ab27ac.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
3. Your computer runs slower.
If your computer is pretty new, and you notice that all of a sudden it doesn’t work as fast as it is supposed to, this is suspicious. It can be a sign that it’s infected with malware like a worm or a Trojan horse. Such dangerous software can come to your computer through programs that you download, as it’s often disguised as legitimate software. They consume a lot of the processor’s resources, which makes your computer run slower.
4. Webcam suddenly starts recording.
It’s not a good sign if you notice that your webcam records and the microphone is on all by itself. This can be alarming, because if someone is spying on you, not only are they trying to steal your data, but they can also take photos of you and record your voice. It’s better to cover your camera with some tape, turn your microphone on only when needed, and change your passwords frequently.
5. Unknown lights blink on your computer.
Another sign that you should pay attention to: unknown sending and receiving on your computer. When someone else is controlling your computer, you might notice that it has the send and receive lights blinking even if you are not active. A virus or a spy malware can download and upload data from and on your computer without you even knowing it.
6. A lot of pop-up ads appear.
Sometimes, while surfing the internet, you might accidentally click on a suspicious banner. This banner can inject your computer with an advertising virus that will make ads and plug-ins pop up all around your screen. Not only is it annoying to see, but it also allows hackers to get access to your data via your computer.
7. You notice that the homepage has suddenly changed.
One more alarming sign is the state of your browser’s homepage If you open it and notice that it’s different from what you usually have, you need to pay attention here. Also, you might notice that your browser opens and gives you completely different websites from what you try to open. This means that your computer is infected with some sort of spying software.ADVERTISEMENThttps://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.513.0_en.html#goog_2013550833
8. Your browser constantly gets redirected.
If you search something on Google and it rredirect you to an unfamiliar and suspicious website, instead of showing the results of your search, this is problematic. This might be an unwanted Trojan. In this case you need to check the extensions of your browser and delete those that you didn’t install yourself.
9. You notice unknown programs installed on your computer.
One of the most common ways your computer can be monitored remotely is through malware. You should regularly check the programmes that installed. Sometimes some unwanted software can be installed, while you were trying to install something in a bundleware. If you notice some suspicious program that you’ve never tried to get on your computer — you should delete it immediately.ADVERTISEMENT
10. You notice suspicious browser activity.
It’s always a good idea to check your browser’s history from time to time for the sake of security. If you notice that there are websites that you never went to, this might be a sign that you need to pay attention to. Suspicious browser activity can also mean that someone who’s spying on you has tried to get access to your data.
Tips to Prevent Spyware
Use an anti-spyware scanner. There are many anti-spyware programs available that will scan your computer to detect malicious tracking software. Removing spyware from a computer or device can be tricky, but it can always be quarantined to no longer function. Most packages provide ongoing anti-spyware protection against the real-time installation of new spyware by scanning incoming traffic and blocking any potential threats. Like any anti-virus program, anti-spyware tools must be updated regularly to remain fully effective.
Adjust browser security settings. Most browsers allow you to adjust their security levels along a scale from “high” to “low.” Get to know these options, as some browsers can function like a firewall against unwanted operations, even cookie installation if so desired.
Be very wary of pop-ups. Ads and offers displayed in pop-up windows, especially those that appear unexpectedly, often mask deceptive purposes. Some pretend a virus infection has been discovered on your computer or offer a plug-in that purports to improve your browsing experience. Never click “agree” or “OK” to close a window; instead click the red “x” in the corner of the window to close. Practice skeptical computing – assume that any new program is potentially harmful until proven safe. Answering “yes” to a prompt that you don’t understand can allow spyware to be loaded.
Understand that “free” is never “free.” In most cases with free apps, you implicitly agree to trade tracking for services. You “pay” for the app by agreeing to receive targeted ads. You can decide that this is a fair trade off, but most companies need to track your online activities to determine which ads to show you.
Always read terms & conditions. Legitimate software vendors will disclose information about how they collect and employ user information in their terms and conditions. Most users don’t even bother to read them. If you are particularly adamant about protecting your online privacy, it’s best to know exactly what you are signing up for. If privacy policies are abused or changed without user knowledge, a software vendor can seriously violate user trust no matter its original intent.
Drop your comment
