Spyware is a type of malware that secretly monitors users' online activities to gain access to personal information like banking details without consent. It can be bundled with other downloads or installed through email attachments. Symptoms of spyware may include new icons appearing in the taskbar, redirects during web searches, and random error messages. Users should use antivirus software with anti-spyware tools to detect, remove, and prevent spyware infections, as well as practice safe browsing and downloading habits. Regularly updating software and higher browser security can also help avoid spyware.

1. Spyware
Prepared by: Avani M. Patel

2. • Spyware is a type of malware that hackers use to spy
on you in order to gain access to your personal
information, banking details, or online activity. We'll
show you the damage it can do, and why you should
protect yourself with anti-spyware software.
• Spyware is a type of malware that's hard to detect. It
collects information about your surfing habits,
browsing history, or personal information (such as
credit card numbers), and often uses the Internet to
pass this information along to third parties without
you knowing. Keyloggers are a type of spyware that
monitors your keystrokes.

3. Where spyware comes from
• Spyware is often bundled with other software or
downloads on file-sharing sites (e.g., sites where you
download free music or movies), or is installed when
you open an email attachment. Because of the
secretive nature of spyware, most people are not
aware when spyware is on a computer that’s
unprotected by anti-spyware.

4. How to recognize spyware
• New and/or unidentifiable icons may appear in the
task bar at the bottom of your screen, while searches
may result in you being redirected to a different
search engine. Random error messages appear when
you perform operations that previously worked fine.
But the best way to identify if you have been infected
is to use a spyware scanner, which will be included in
any spyware removal software.

5. How to remove spyware
• Antivirus software can find and remove any spyware
on your computer, since these usually include anti-
spyware protection as well as spyware removal tools.
You can also check Programs and Features for items
that don't belong on your computer.

6. How to prevent spyware
• Use antivirus and anti-spyware software.
• Ensure that your browser, operating system, and
software have the latest updates and security patches.
• Set your browser security and privacy levels higher.
• Use extreme caution if you frequent file-sharing sites.
• Don't click on pop-up ads.

7. Use anti-spyware to protect yourself
• There’s no better way to recognize, remove and
prevent spyware than to use antivirus and anti-
spyware software.