What is spyware?

Spyware

Malicious software designed to infiltrate a user’s system and gather information about them without their knowledge.
It acts by stealth, watching over your behavior and recording sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, search history typing.
Some types of spyware belong to categories and other is a free radical.

keylogger

Logs keys typed by a user. They are capable of grabbing everything entered through the keyboard – usernames, passwords and even credit card numbers.
Keyloggers can function at various levels of the system, from hardware-based keyloggers which gather signals between a keyboard and computer to software-based ones
that are installed within the operating systems.

Adware

Though not technically spyware in the classic sense, tracking cookies are data files used by Web sites to store information on a computer hard drive.
These cookies collect information about how users use the website, such as which pages are visited most often and whether they receive error messages from webpages.
To add fuel to the fire, some of these cookies are more invasive than others as they track personal information in addition browsing behavior.

So-called “System Monitors”

These types of spyware can basically see everything your system does, from taking screenshots to logging what programs
you run and the files (and even registry keys) that those applications access or change. Some operate,
for example; For surveillance purposes trying to learn as much possible about activities and tendencies of a user.

Mobile Spyware

Through the growing smartphone market, spyware has also evolved to attack mobile endpoints.
This type of mobile spyware can track GPS locations, intercept text messages, record phone calls and more…Even take photos using your device front or back camera.
Often it disguises itself under legitimate apps and software updates.

Webcam and Microphone Spyware

Some sophisticated spyware can hijack a device’s webcam or microphone to record audio and video without the user’s knowledge.
This type of spyware can invade privacy by capturing sensitive conversations and activities in private spaces.

Password Stealers

These spyware programs specifically target stored passwords and login credentials saved in web browsers or password management tools.
They can extract these credentials and send them to remote servers controlled by attackers.

Remote Access Trojans (RATs)

While not exclusively spyware, RATs can include spyware functionality.
They provide attackers with remote access and control over a compromised system, allowing them to view and manipulate files, capture screenshots, activate cameras and microphones,
and monitor user activities.

Spyware often operates stealthily to avoid detection by antivirus software and can be challenging to remove once installed.
Users can protect themselves by practicing safe browsing habits, avoiding suspicious links and downloads, keeping software updated, using reputable antivirus and anti-spyware tools,
and being cautious of granting unnecessary permissions to apps on mobile devices.
Many spyware programs have gained popularity over the years due to the widespread impact and seriousness of their capabilities.

Here are some well-known spyware programs in use.

Fin Fisher / Fin Spy: Developed by UK-based company Gamma Group, Fin Fisher is a sophisticated spyware used primarily by government and law enforcement agencies for surveillance that can intercept communications, record keystrokes, take screenshots and to files on infected machines. Fin fisher is involved in targeting activists, journalists and political opponents around the world.

Pegasus: Developed by the Israeli company NSO, Pegasus is a highly advanced spyware tool designed to infiltrate mobile devices (iOS and Android).

It can remotely activate the device’s camera and microphone, track GPS location, access contacts, messages and emails, and store passwords.

Pegasus gained considerable attention on its alleged use by governments to monitor journalists, human rights activists and politicians.

Zeus: Zeus (also known as Z bot) is a notorious Trojan horse scent that targets Microsoft Windows. Originally designed to steal bank credentials by hacking and capturing users’ banking information, it has become a tool that can be used in cybercrime by spies including data theft

This spyware activity highlights the serious threat posed by sophisticated malware tools that can surreptitiously infiltrate surveillance devices and for malicious purposes Efforts by cybersecurity professionals, law enforcement agencies and international organizations continue to combat the spread of such spyware and protect users from their harmful effects

Dark Comet: DarkComet is a remote access Trojan (RAT) developed by French freelance programmer and computer security coder Jean-Pierre Lesueur (known as DarkCoderSc[2]) Although RAT was developed in 2008, it started spreading in 2012 early.This policy was rejected, in part because it is being used to monitor operatives in the Syrian civil war but also because of this author’s fear of arrest for undisclosed reasons .[1] As of August 2018 has “permanently suspended development of the program”, and no downloads are offered on its official website.[3