Why is spyware dangerous

Lots of people give up and just click "Yes" after this happens a few times. Little do they know, they are agreeing to spyware. Wanted Spyware You may actually choose to install a spyware onto your computer for your own use. This may be used as a surveillance tool if you have children or employees to track what goes on on a computer when you're not around.

This type of spyware can be bought and installed like any other software, and will track things like websites visited, programs used, keyboard stokes, etc. When used as a surveillance tool, the data from this type of spyware is not sent anywhere, but it can be referenced from the same computer later by parents and employers to check up on other user's activities.

Post a comment You must be logged in to comment. Log in or sign up to comment. Report Spam In , more than 10 million Americans fell victim to identity theft.

You must be logged in to comment. Report Spam. Share on LinkedIn. Spyware is a type of virus that is specifically designed to steal information about your activity on your computer. Spyware writers have a number of different objectives, mainly fraudulent financial gain. Spyware can perform a number of illicit functions, from creating pop up advertisements to stealing your bank login details by taking screen shots of the sites you visit and even logging the keys you type.

Spyware may also be self-replicating. See Also Protecting Your Computer Find this post useful? Share below to help raise awareness. Download as a.

In partnership with. Jargon Buster A Glossary of terms used in this article:. Virus A file written with the sole intention of doing harm, or for criminal activity. USB Universal Serial Bus: a means of physically connecting computers and peripherals such as external storage, keyboards and MP3 players. Trojan Software posing as an authentic application, which actually conceals an item of malware.

Spyware Malware that secretly monitors a user's activity or scans for private information. Spam Unsolicited commercial e-mail. Spyware is used for many purposes. Usually it aims to track and sell your internet usage data, capture your credit card or bank account information, or steal your personal identity.

Spyware monitors your internet activity, tracking your login and password information, and spying on your sensitive information. Cybercrime statistics tell the story:. Spyware is one of the most common threats on the internet. It can easily infect your device and it can be hard to identify. Spyware is a threat to businesses and individual users, since it can steal sensitive information and harm your network. Check out our guide to help understand how spyware works, how to remove it, and how to help protect yourself or your business.

Some of the most common ways your computer can become infected with spyware include these:. Spyware can be difficult to recognize on your device. You may have a spyware issue if your computer shows these symptoms.

If you think your device is infected with spyware, run a scan with your current security software to make sure it has cleaned up everything it can. Next, download and run a virus removal tool, such as the free Norton Power Eraser. There are also other reputable anti-spyware removal tools. Some of them work only when you manually start the scan. Spyware can be harmful, but it can be removed and prevented by being cautious and using an antivirus tool.

Be proactive by changing your passwords and notifying your bank to watch for fraudulent activity. All rights reserved. Firefox is a trademark of Mozilla Foundation. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.