How to spot the signs of Spyware

25 Nov

Are your devices spying on you?

If you have noticed a sudden slowdown in device responsiveness, a dramatic increase in pop-up ads or a change in your browser then the answer might be yes.

Spyware can monitor keystrokes, browser history and email activity. It can even turn on a user’s webcam and watch them in real-time. If you don’t detect spyware early it could even infect your devices with other kinds of malware that could cause serious, long-term damage to your systems.

In this blog, we explain what spyware is and how to spot the signs to keep your devices and private data safe.

What is spyware?

Spyware is a nasty form of malware that infects a user’s device to spy on their systems and gather information. Once devices are infected, spyware can be used to steal your personal information and monitor all activity on your devices. It can transmit your private or sensitive data to others who can use this to harm or blackmail you.

This kind of malware is delivered to your device without your knowledge or permission. It maliciously piggybacks on legitimate downloads or could be sent through a phishing attack like an email or spoofed website.

The effect can be as minor as altering your browser or creating pop-up spam. In more severe cases spyware can steal your passwords and personal information, address book or identity.

Spyware runs in the background of your device often attached to the operating system. Because of this, spyware can significantly slow down your device and make it sluggish.

What are the different types?

Keyloggers
Password stealers
Tracking cookies
Trojans
Sound recording or video spyware
Mobile spyware

How to spot spyware

Spyware is designed to run in the background and remain undetected while capturing your data or corrupting your systems. However, there are some telltale signs that will help you identify it on your device.

Here is what you should look for:

If your browser has changed, you are unable to modify your browser settings or if you are redirected to a different, unauthorized search engine.
Spinning applications when you start or shut down your device.
Your device is slow and sluggish to respond or regularly crashes.
A dramatic increase in ads and pop-ups – these may even occur when you are not in your browser and will often be tailored to you.
Problems logging into secure sites – if you are attempting to login into a secure site but your first attempt doesn’t work, it may be an indication that the first attempt was on a spoofed browser.
New applications or tools appear that you did not install.
Battery life depletes faster than normal.
Emails in your outbox that you did not send.

How to protect against spyware

Installing advanced anti-malware is the first step in mitigating the risk of spyware. Anti-malware and anti-spyware programmes will minimise the chance of spyware reaching your device before it can even infect it.

Employ a zero-trust approach across all platforms. Never open emails, download external content or click on links from unknown sources or senders. Phishing attacks are the most popular vector of infection for all malware so preventing these attacks is essential to a good cyber security posture.

Where possible, try to avoid public, unsecured Wi-Fi. Fake pop-ups and spoofed websites delivered through unsecure Wi-Fi could contain all kinds of dangerous malware. If you absolutely have to access secure, private data whilst out and about, make sure to use a VPN.

It is important to regularly update your systems so that software vulnerabilities cannot be exploited. You should also be aware of what permission you grant when installing new apps – if a certain app requests access to the microphone or camera unnecessarily you may be at risk.

To find out more about how you can protect yourself from spyware contact one of the team today on: 01865 594 930 or send us an email: sales@oxitsolutions.co.uk.

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