One of the most common threats to your computer’s security is spyware – software that secretly collects information about you, including your passwords and browsing history, and transmits it back to the software’s creator. To protect yourself from this threat, learn about how spyware works, how to recognize it on your own computer, and what you can do to fight back.
One of the things I think is really problematic about something like spyware is that it isn’t transparent – because of that anonymity and that secrecy, there aren’t laws to regulate it. — Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Stealing information from your computer, tracking browsing history, stealing private data, using your webcam without permission. Those are just a few of many dangerous spyware applications that can result in identity theft or other problems if installed on your device.
How to protect yourself against Spyware
Update your system. The first step in protecting yourself from spyware is making sure that you have updated versions of all of your software. This includes anti-virus programs, operating systems, web browsers, and more.
Pay attention to what you are downloading. Most spyware comes from malicious websites, hence it’s important to be aware of what you are clicking on. If a website looks shady or has pop-ups that won’t go away, don’t download anything from it! If a site has an anti-spyware page, make sure that it actually looks legitimate before downloading anything. Be careful when downloading content from file sharing websites. Spyware and malware often hide inside these downloads. Make sure you only download files from trusted sources..
Finally, always check out reviews for software and programs before installing them on your computer.