What is the most common type of spyware?
There are many different types of spyware, but the most common type is probably adware. Adware is a type of software that displays advertising on your computer, often in the form of pop-up ads. It can be installed on your computer without your knowledge, and is often bundled with free programs that you download from the Internet. Some adware programs are harmless, but others can be used to track your online activities and even to display personal information about you, such as your name, address, and credit card number.
What types of information can spyware collect from my computer?
Most spyware is designed to track and report information back to a third-party, such as the denizens of the cybercriminal underground who create and sell it. Here are some of the more common types of data that spyware harvests from an unwitting victim’s device:
Demographic information: This is data that can be used to identify an individual, such as name, age, gender, address, birth date, and so on.
Technical information: This is data about the victim’s device, such as the type of operating system, IP address, MAC address, browser type, and installed security software.
Usage information: This is data about how the victim is using their device, such as which websites they visit, what apps they use, what type of searches they conduct, and so on.
Location information: This is data that can be used to determine the victim’s current location, such as GPS coordinates or information gleaned from Wi-Fi networks in the vicinity.
Contact information: This is data about the victim’s contacts, such as email addresses, phone numbers, and social media handles.
Financial information: This is data that can be used to commit financial fraud, such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, and login credentials for online banking and payment platforms.
Spyware can also collect data by Turning on the microphone or camera on the device to eavesdrop on the victim without their knowledge, and accessing files and data on the device.
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