Even if you follow the best online privacy practices by controlling access to your sensitive data on social media pages, websites, and message boards, someone can find ways to pry through sneaky malware called spyware.
This malware can steal your passwords, messages, and pictures. It can also use your GPS, camera, and microphone to snoop on you. Meanwhile, more specialized spyware, such as password stealers, info stealers, or Banking Trojans like Emotet, go straight for your sensitive data like financial information.
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How do I get spyware?
You can get spyware from visiting the wrong website, opening a dangerous link, downloading pirated software, or installing a Trojan that looks like freeware. Threat actors can also trick you into installing spyware with a phishing email. Some brands of spyware, like stalkerware, must be physically installed. Likewise, hardware keyloggers must physically connect to your computer.
The symptoms of spyware
Finding spyware can be tricky because it can hide very quietly. Still, some symptoms may indicate a spyware attack. Use a spyware detector to search your system for the snoopy malware if you notice any of the following signs:
Performance issues
Any malware can cause performance issues like slowdowns, crashes, overheating, including spyware. Granted, spyware usually blends in pretty well, but it doesn’t hurt to use anti-malware software to check in this situation.
Popups
Random popups on your screen are usually the sign of adware, not spyware. However, certain keyloggers and other types of spyware may throw up random popups with computer code that close automatically. Run an anti-malware scan instead of ignoring them.
Running hard drive
Sometimes, your hard drive may run automatically in the middle of the night because of a software update, download, or scheduled scan. But some malware like spyware can also engage your storage drive without your consent.
Webcam activates
You’ve probably heard of Facebook head Mark Zuckerberg covering his laptop’s webcam for security reasons. This is because some types of spyware can use your webcam to watch you while you’re sleeping or involved in some other activity.
Microphone activates
Just like your webcam, your microphone shouldn’t activate needlessly. It could just be a glitch, or it could be spyware monitoring you.
Strange apps
Are you noticing apps on your computer or mobile phone that you didn’t install? Some mobile apps that look like security, entertainment, or office programs are actually stalkerware. Go through your list of apps to check for suspicious installations that may be malware.
Strange hardware
Examine your desktop for thumb drivers, peripherals, or devices attached between your keyboard and your computer that could be keyloggers. Usually, hardware keyloggers can’t transmit data digitally. In other words, you can catch the spy in the act when they come to retrieve their device.
Password alerts
After a hacker uses spyware to steal your login credentials, you may get notifications from your bank, email, social media pages, or gaming accounts that your password was compromised. To counter password thieves, use two-factor authentication.
Doxing
Doxing is when someone dumps your private information on the Internet to shame, harass, blackmail, or threaten you. While there are many ways someone can steal your data for doxing, they can also use spyware.
To feel extra safe after a spyware attack, change all your passwords from a secure device and enable two-factor authentication. And to avoid future spyware attacks, run cybersecurity checks, be wary of phishing expeditions, and don’t share devices.
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