How spyware works

First of all we are going to explain what exactly spyware is. We can say that it is a malicious software who intends to spy on the victim in some way. You may simply want personal data, you may want to steal passwords, or see what use you make of that computer.

This type of malware can be in programs that we install, browser extensions, files that we download from the Internet ... The problem is that it is not always easy to detect it. Sometimes it goes unnoticed for a long time and that makes the hacker act undetected.

Unlike other types of malware and viruses that can affect the operation of the equipment more or even encrypt the data, as is the case with ransomware, this time it will not be so visible. It will not cause sudden failures, nor will it cause a system to stop working.

Therefore, we can say that a spyware works so that it sneaks into a system and from that moment it begins to record data and information. It may take a long time for it to be removed or the attacker has already met its target and is no longer of real use.

How can you get infected

But how can we become infected with spyware? The truth is that the input methods they are similar to other varieties of malware. A cybercriminal can use different strategies in order to infect a computer with this type of malicious software, as you will see.

When installing a program

A very common method by which a user can become infected with spyware is when it comes to install a program. That application may be false, an attacker may have created it simply for the purpose of spying. It is possible that the software in question works normally or that it does not work directly.

But it can not only be through programs created solely to strain spyware, but also some legitimate program that has been maliciously modified or through an additional software plugin.

Download a file from the Internet

Another form of spyware input is that of download any file from the Internet. Something similar happens with the programs we have explained. You may download a file from a web page and it has been placed there solely for the purpose of stealing personal information and spying on the victim.

This usually occurs when you download files from unreliable sites. For example links that come to you through social networks or that you find on the Internet and you really have no guarantees that they are safe. There are many fake pages that create simply to strain this type of malware.

By a document by e-mail

You can also end up infected if you download any document that reaches you attached to an email. E-mail is one of the tools that hackers use the most to achieve their goals and infect victims' systems. It is a simple, fast medium that can also be sent to anyone.

A simple text file, image, or ZIP folder can contain spyware. They can throw some bait for the victim to fall and open it. For example, saying that it is a prize, that they need to verify some data, that it is an unpaid invoice, etc. All this can make the user who receives that email end up clicking.

Software vulnerabilities

But we must not forget the possibility that the attackers take advantage of some vulnerability there is. These security flaws can affect the operating system itself, but also any program we use. For example the browser itself and that they hang a spyware in Chrome or Firefox.

Uncorrected vulnerabilities are behind many cyber attacks. It is undoubtedly an entry route widely used by attackers and not only in the specific case of spyware, but in many other threats that exist on the network.

What types of spyware are there

After explaining what spyware consists of and how they can infect us, let's talk about what types are there. Not all have the same objective, although they are all going to spy on us in some way and collect personal information that they can later use for bad purposes.

Adware

We can say that it is one of the most common varieties of spyware. This malicious software is usually in browsers and basically what he does is steal information to send misleading advertising. They are the typical pop-ups that appear constantly when browsing, when we visit a web page.

Normally, clicking on those windows usually makes the problem worse. This is when they can strain malware or serve to send information to attackers. It can also happen that you install an application that contains adware and through it be able to spy on you and know what you do.

Web trackers

In this case the spyware will be specifically in charge of track your navigation on Internet. You can collect what you are looking for on the network, what pages you visit or what you install in the browser. They can simply use this data to sell it to third parties and profit, but also to launch other attacks.

By collecting data of this type they can know what you are looking for on the Internet, what services you use, etc. This allows an attacker to launch custom Phishing attacks, which can be more successful and steal passwords or take control of the equipment without the victim realizing it.

Keylogger

But spyware can also serve to steal passwords directly. It is what is known as a keylogger. It is a software created for record keystrokes that the victim puts. A way to steal username and password without the victim knowing.

Keyloggers can arrive by different methods, but they are usually by downloading an insecure program or by means of a file that we download from e-mail. However, whatever the route of entry, the goal is going to be to steal passwords and take control of a device.

Infostealer

Yet another variety of spyware is what is known as infostealer. It is a bit of a keylogger and tracker mix. The objective in this case is spy on and collect all kinds of personal data, of the system, of the use that the victim makes of a team. All of this is going to be stolen by the attacker or received in a database.

With this information you could carry out other attacks, sell it to third parties, etc. It is used to, for example, spy on a company and get information that they can sell to the competition. It is a type of malware that seriously jeopardizes the privacy of the victim.

How to be protected

¿What can you do to be protected from spyware? It is important that you take steps both to prevent and to solve the problem if you have already been a victim. Let's give you some advice interesting that you can put into practice on any device.

Use security programs

The first thing you should do is use good security programs. This will help you to avoid spyware entry, but also to eliminate it in case you have already been the victim of this problem. There are many options available, both free and paid, to protect equipment.

A good antivirus is Windows Defender itself. It comes integrated with Microsoft systems and works well. However, there are other alternatives such as Avast or Bitdefender that will also help you in this task.

Have everything updated

Of course, it is essential to have everything correctly updated. Spyware can come through uncorrected vulnerabilities. They can be failures that affect the operating system itself, but also the browsers you use, such as Chrome or Firefox.

To update Windows you have to go to Home, you enter Configuration and you will Windows Update. Possible updates will appear there and you must install them all. This will help optimize performance, but also correct those security issues that may be the gateway to cyber attacks.

In the case of Chrome, you can update it if you go to the menu on the top right, click Help and enter Google Chrome Information. It will automatically start installing a new version, in case it becomes available. It is something that will help prevent you from being spied on by the browser.

Download only from reliable sites

Another issue to keep in mind is to download only from reliable sites. If you are going to install a program, you should always do it from its official website or through secure application stores, such as Google Play or Windows Store. This will prevent you from installing software that may have been maliciously modified.

You should also download files and documents only from reliable sources. You should take a good look at the URL where you are, the appearance of that site and search for information on the Internet in case you have doubts about whether or not that website really is legit.

Common sense

But if there is one important thing to avoid spyware it is common sense. You must avoid by all means making mistakes that can leave you exposed on the Internet. For example, don't download files that come to you by email and you don't really know who may have sent it.

Keep in mind that most cyber attacks, and that also includes the different varieties of spyware, will require the victim to make a mistake. That would give the attackers free rein and they could steal information or sneak in some kind of malicious file.

In short, as you have seen, spyware is a major problem that affects the privacy and security of users. There are different types and they can also come through various methods. It is essential at all times to be protected and not make mistakes.