5 Most Dangerous Spyware
While the technology is evolving, malware and spyware are upgraded by becoming more unpredictable and dangerous. Cybercriminals won’t stop at anything to use your device’s security vulnerability to hack it and steal your sensitive data. That’s why you should protect your computer and mobile devices with antivirus and anti-spyware software. What is spyware and what does it do to your computer? Let’s discuss several types of spyware and understand what destructive consequences they can have on our devices.
1. Pegasus
Pegasus is the scariest spyware that infects mobile devices running on Android and iOS operating systems. The spyware created by an Israeli company is so powerful that it can remotely attack iPhones and Android phones and access their text message, emails, location, and even the camera and microphone. Since its creation in 2011, spyware has already appeared in 45 countries targeting mostly intelligence agents, military officers, and law enforcement officials.
2. Fake Updates
Fake updates called hidden ransomware are a type of spyware that tricks the users into installing the latest version of Windows on their computers. First, the users receive an informative email with instructions on installing the newest Windows updates. In reality, the email contains a “.exe” file, the ransomware in disguise. When the users click the link, the malware gets installed, encrypts all your files and programs, then demands payment for decrypting the files.
Unfortunately, many antivirus software can’t detect and block these ransomware emails. Hence, anyone can get tricked and become a victim of such attacks.
3. Android Spy Apps
Android spy apps are spyware designed for working in the background of Android phones, collecting the owner’s personal data and revealing it to the cybercriminals. These apps are almost undetectable, but some unusual behavior of the phones indicates their infected condition. For example, slow speed, sudden shutdowns, and overheating are red flags indicating that the phone is being monitored by spyware.
Though spy apps are associated with negative feelings, some claim that they can be used for good purposes as well. For example, some parents install the spy app on their children’s phones to monitor their activities on social media, messages, calls, and location. View more on the free undetectable spy app for Android to discover what are the most popular ones. you can check your devices for hidden spy apps.
4. Gameover Zeus
Zeus Gameover is a dangerous Trojan malware disguised as something legitimate. After infecting the computer, it accesses the users’ sensitive data, particularly bank account credentials, and credit card details, and steals the money. Recently, it has also been used for hacking and stealing crypto funds.
But the worst thing about Gameover Zeus is that it’s impossible to trace the stolen money. It creates an independent server where it transfers the funds.
5. Cryptojacking
Cryptojacking is an example of spyware that users can install willingly without realizing its threats. Usually, the cryptocurrency mining process requires a huge computing power until the system generates new crypto coins. For accelerating this process, the miners install software designed to help them with the crypto mining process. As a result, their computers start working significantly slowly.
Over time, the number of crypto-jacking spyware threats increased related to the rising value of cryptocurrencies. For example, as of April 2022, one BTC coin equals 40,000 USD. It inspires miners to install crypto-jacking malware to help them with mining.
Conclusion
Can you imagine waking up one day and seeing that your crypto wallets, bank accounts, and credit cards are empty? And the reason is that you opened an email from an unknown sender and clicked on a link inside. Unfortunately, antivirus and anti-spyware software can’t entirely protect you from malware attacks, but they can block some. According to CellTrackingApps.com, you should also protect your iOS and Android mobile devices from spyware attacks since they can infect your devices and cause devastating damage.
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