What is spyware? Malware you need to know to protect your personal information

What is spyware?Malware that steals infected computer users' personal information and creates unnecessary advertisements and custom browser screens.is. They can seriously interfere with computer use by forcibly displaying advertisements or changing the browser display on their own. Therefore, in this article,Characteristics of spyware, infection routes, and countermeasures to reduce infection damageI will explain.

What is spyware?

What is spyware?"A program that is downloaded against the user's intention and collects the user's personal information, web usage history, etc."refers to. Symptoms of infection also include external leakage of collected information and impact on computer operation.

The route of infection with spyware isWhen downloading programs, intrusions often come in the form of attachments to the main functionality.It is said that. In addition, there are cases of infection by opening URLs or attachments embedded in malicious websites or emails, or by using file exchange software.

The characteristics of spyware areInfection is difficult to detectThere is a point. This is because if the spyware comes in the form of a software download, some users may install the spyware themselves because they do not notice or understand the warnings about the installation contents.

Additionally, when infected with spyware, the noticeable symptoms are often minor, such as the display of advertisements, so it may be difficult to notice the infection.

However, if the recognizable symptoms are left untreated because they are mild,It can lead to more serious symptoms and allow other malware to infect you.. Learn about the symptoms of spyware infection and if you notice anything,Let's deal with it promptly.

Symptoms of spyware infection

To explain the symptoms of spyware, first"Not all advertising display and information gathering is malicious."I would like to tell you that.

When installing or launching the software, you may be asked to consent to tracking your online activities or displaying advertisements as part of the service. in this way,When displaying advertisements or collecting user information based on fair exchangesis not a malicious symptom.

So, what are the malicious symptoms caused by spyware?

◆ Forced display of unnecessary advertisements and pop-ups

This is a symptom often seen when infected with spyware. No matter how many times you delete the ad, a new ad appears, forcing the user to view ads that are of no interest to them, making the computer less usable.

◆ Collection of personal information without consent

Collects personal information such as web usage history, passwords, and credit card numbers without the user's consent. In some cases, it may be leaked outside.

◆ Forcibly directed to a specific website

A spyware infection may force you to be redirected to a different site instead of the preset page that is displayed at the top. In addition, there are cases where many toolbars are displayed and occupy the top part of the browser.

In addition to these abnormal screens being displayed, problems such as not being able to return to the previous screen or move to other pages occur, greatly hindering computer use.

◆ Change browser security settings

It changes the security settings on your computer without permission and adds suspicious sites to the "trusted" category, allowing you to download various non-genuine programs.

◆ Make the system unstable

Spyware runs inside your computer and can cause your system to run slowly or become unstable.

In this way, spyware not only infringes on privacy by stealing users' personal information without their knowledge, but also causes great inconvenience by posting unnecessary information and changing settings.

What is spyware infection prevention?

In the previous chapter, we looked at the symptoms of spyware infection. So what actions should you take to prevent spyware infection? This chapter introduces some countermeasures.

When downloading a program, please be sure to read and understand the license agreement and privacy statement.It is very important to read all disclosures carefullyis. Don't carelessly click the "Agree" or "Next" buttons, and be sure to check for any information that hints at spyware activity.

Even if the program is familiar, it may be fake if the site is fraudulent. When downloading the program,Check if the source site is trustworthyplease.

However, cases in which official websites and software have been tampered with have become a hot topic in recent years. Don't be rest assured just because it's official; be sure to carefully check that it's a reliable site or software.

A warning message about spyware infection displayed on your browser may direct you to a non-genuine site. Clicking on the warning screen unnecessarily may lead to new secondary damage, soFirst, take measures such as disconnecting from the network..

Security software isUse software that manages spyware and other malware at once.. You can maintain your security level by always keeping your security software up to date.

Unfortunately, however, we cannot guarantee that all spyware can be detected by keeping it up to date. very muchDon't be overconfident,Please refer to other precautions to prevent spyware infection.

Accept from websiteLimit the amount of informationThis reduces the risk of accessing sites and files that can lead to spyware infections.

Prevent infection in advance

How was it? To prevent spyware infectionIt is important to be aware of security on a daily basisis. Review the way you use your computer to see how well you are taking steps to prevent infections, such as carefully reading all disclosures when downloading new programs and using trusted websites.