Notes

Spyware is malicious software that enters a user’s computer, gathers data from the device and user, and sends it to third parties without their consent. A commonly accepted spyware definition is a strand of malware designed to access and damage a device without the user’s consent.

Spyware collects personal and sensitive information that it sends to advertisers, data collection firms, or malicious actors for a profit. Attackers use it to track, steal, and sell user data, such as internet usage, credit card, and bank account details, or steal user credentials to spoof their identities.

Spyware is one of the most commonly used cyberattack methods that can be difficult for users and businesses to identify and can do serious harm to networks. It also leaves businesses vulnerable to data breaches and data misuse, often affects device and network performance, and slows down user activity.

The term "spyware" first emerged in online discussions in the 1990s, but only in the early 2000s did cybersecurity firms use it to describe unwanted software that spied on their user and computer activity. The first anti-spyware software was released in June 2000, then four years later, scans showed that around 80% of internet users had their systems affected by spyware, according to research by America Online and the National Cyber Security Alliance. However, 89% of users were unaware of the spyware’s existence and 95% had not granted permission for it to be installed.