Spyware

Pegasus is a spyware developed by the Israeli cyber arms firm NSO Group that can be covertly installed on mobile phones (and other devices) running most versions of iOS and Android. The 2021 Project Pegasus revelations suggest that the current Pegasus software can exploit all recent iOS versions up to iOS 14.6.As of 2016, Pegasus was capable of reading text messages, tracking calls, collecting passwords, location tracking, accessing the target device's microphone and camera, and harvesting information from apps. The spyware is named after Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek mythology. It is a Trojan horse computer virus that can be sent "flying through the air" to infect cell phones. Pegasus spyware is able to read the victim's SMS messages and emails, listen to calls, take screenshots, record keystrokes, and access contacts and browser history. Another report corroborates that a hacker can hijack the phone's microphone and camera, turning it into a real-time surveillance device. It is also worth noting that Pegasus is a rather complex and expensive malware, designed to spy on individuals of particular interest, so the average user is unlikely to encounter it.

Spyware is loosely defined as malicious software designed to enter your computer device, gather data about you, and forward it to a third-party without your consent. Spyware can also refer to legitimate software that monitors your data for commercial purposes like advertising. it used to describe a program designed to gather information about a user's activity secretly. Spyware programs are often used to track users' habits to target them with advertisements better. Spyware is usually installed on a user's machine without their knowledge after clicking a link (intentionally or unintentionally) that redirects the user to a malicious website.

"On October 16, 1995, the first recorded use of the term spyware was used in a Usenet post poking fun of Windows 95 source code."

Types of Spyware:-

Adware automatically displays advertisements while you’re browsing the internet or using advertising-supported software. In a malware context, adware furtively installs itself on your computer or mobile device, spies on your browsing history, and then serves you intrusive ads.

Keyloggers record all the keystrokes you make on your infected device and then saves the information in a log file that is typically encrypted. Short for “keystroke logging”, this type of spyware collects everything you type into your computer, smartphone, or tablet, including text messages, emails, usernames, passwords.

Infostealers collect information from your computer or mobile systems. Keyloggers are a type of infostealer; other types can do much more than record and store information acquired from your keystrokes. They can also, for instance, scan your computer for specific information and harvest your browsing history, documents, and instant messaging sessions. Some strains can do all their dirty work secretly in one fell swoop before disappearing from their targets’ computers.

Red Shell spyware is a type of spyware that installs itself during the installation of certain PC games, then tracks gamers’ online activities. Its makers state they want “to leverage knowledge to help developers make better games” and “make better decisions about the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns.” Red Shell’s detractors oppose the fact that it installs itself without their knowledge or consent.

Cookies can be useful; for example, they instantly log you into your favorite websites and serve you advertisements for goods and services that are relevant to your interests. But tracking cookies can be considered spyware as they follow you online as you browse, compile your browsing history, and record login attempts. With the right knowledge and tools, a black hat hacker could use these cookies to recreate your login sessions, so make sure to delete tracking cookies regularly or disable them entirely.

Rootkits enable criminals to infiltrate computers and mobile devices and access them at a very deep level. To achieve this, they can exploit security vulnerabilities, use a Trojan horse, or log into a machine as an administrator. Rootkits are typically difficult or impossible to detect, but they can be prevented with strong antivirus software.

Role of Spyware:-

Spyware can be used to track and record activity on computers and mobile devices. Specific strains have specific behaviors; generally speaking, cyber thieves use spyware to collect data and personal information. 

Once it’s on your computer or mobile device, spyware can carry out a distressing array of covert operations, including:

• Keylogging (recording everything you type, including usernames, passwords, banking info, etc.)

• Recording audio and video, and screenshot capture

• Remote control of the device

• Capturing content from email, messaging, and social apps

• Recording and capturing browser history

Unfortunately, these capabilities have attracted the interest of stalkers and jealous partners; in some circles, spyware is referred to as stalkerware or spouseware. The National Network to End Domestic Violence worked together with Avast to compile some tips to combat spyware and other invasive smart device applications for those struggling in abusive situations and relationships.

Few Spyware Malwares :-

1.  Pegasus,     
2.  XNSPY, 
3. Flexispy,
4. Qustodio,      
5. SPYZIE,
6. MobiStealth,   
7. iSpyoo,
8. mSpy,
9. AppMia    

Symptoms:-

1. Your device runs slower than normal

2. Your device freezes or crashes frequently

3. You start getting a ton of pop-ups

4. Your browser homepage changes unexpectedly

5. New and/or unidentifiable icons appear in the task bar

6. Web searches redirect you to a different search engine

7. You start getting random error messages when using apps that you’ve never had issues with before

Preventions:-

1. Use trusted antivirus software with anti-spyware features

2. Don’t download suspicious-looking email attachments

3. Don’t click on online pop-ups

4. Accepting a prompt or pop-up without reading it first

5. Don’t open links received in text messages from unknown numbers

6. Avoid chatting with strangers in messaging apps

7. Keep your computer and mobile operating systems up-to-dat

8. Downloading software from an unreliable source

9. Opening email attachments from unknown senders

Spyware Removal Tools:-

• System Mechanic Ultimate Defense
• Restoro
• LifeLock
• Panda Antivirus 
• AVG Antivirus
• SUPERAntiSpyware

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