In today’s world Data is the most powerful thing which we have. Through data, we can understand any person’s private affairs, mind-set, preference, interest, budget, and many more. This data can be anything, like – passwords, personal documents, web search, browsing history, texting, images, etc.
Some people develop spy software and attach them to your mobile or computer to collect data. This types of spy software are Spyware. But what is Spyware and how to detect Spyware on Android phone or PC?
What is Spyware?
Spyware is a type of spy software that silently tracks and steals data from your device and sends it to the developer. Spyware allows the developer to get access to the device’s usages. This software steals user’s data like – passwords, search details, banking details, messages, typing details, images, and videos, files, etc.
Spyware can be very dangerous for a user’s privacy. The main goal of Spyware is stealing and sending data to third-party users. Spyware is used for hacking, scamming, blackmailing, etc. Spyware can be anything like- software, small program, command line. Nowadays Spywares are very common on the Internet. Hackers are continuously trying to put Spyware in your device to steal your data and to get access to your documents.
Is Spyware a software
Any software, command line, programming can be considered as Spyware if it’s stealing data and installed without the user’s permission. Hackers put Spyware on mobile phones or PC through various unauthentic software or games. Whenever a person installs software or games from unauthentic websites, there are many possibilities that those software or games have Spyware. When we install software or game Spyware gets installed silently without our permission.
Spywares are very difficult to track in daily usage. Whenever the users connect their device to the Internet, the Spyware starts to send data to the developer. Through spyware, the developer gets very serious and private details about the user. Most commonly the developer tracks the user’s banking details, credit card details, emails, messages. Spyware is a very serious threat to all users. It violates user privacy very strongly.
Spywares are very difficult to find out in normal usage. It causes data leaking, it slows down your device, it consumes data as a result of that user’s data usage gets high. Spywares are also used in advertising. It gives information to the developer about what kind of searches you make and what are your interests.
Types of Spyware and How to Detect Spyware in Android Phone
There are many types of Spyware. Each Spyware has a different style of stealing. Spyware is not just a program or a command line, it’s a whole catalogue. Some of the popular Spywares are.
1. Adware
Adware is one of the most common Spyware. This spyware tracks users ’ browsing data, web searches, and collects data. Later, the developer uses those data for advertising and marketing. This type of spyware is very common. Through this process, whenever you open your browser you get to see ads. Cookies track user’s identifiable documents and searching habits. Companies often use this technique for marketing campaigns.
2. Trojan
Trojan Spywares are very dangerous. This type of spyware disguises itself as an official legitimate software and then gains access to the user’s device. This spyware tracks every small detail of the user. Through this spyware, developers gain access to the user’s device. This process helps developers to see passwords, bank details, credit card details, personal folders, etc. This spyware is very hard to find out in the device.
3. Keyboard Loggers
Keyboard Loggers Collect every single piece of data inputted by the user. This data can be a message, a password, credit card details, etc. This spyware tracks every input. This spyware is often used by companies on their employees, parents on their Children’s, etc.
4. Message Spyware
Message spyware is normally very simple spyware. In this process, users get an email, pop-ups, phone SMS, etc. In those messages, the developer attaches a spy link. Through clicking on that link users get in the trap of the developer and their device gets hacked. This process is used very frequently and this has the highest success rate.
5. Through Softwares and Games
There are lots of spy software and games on the Internet. If users install software or game from an unauthentic website, there is a lot of chance that the software or game has spyware hidden inside it.
How to Detect Spyware in Android Phone
Nowadays spying on any device is possible. They can easily install spy applications on your device through email or simply using wifi. With the help of advanced spyware, anyone can easily track all the activities on your device.
They can see your calls, text, WhatsApp, FB messages. Also, they can track the location of your phone. Even they can control your device remotely. This can be very dangerous if you are using your mobile for banking transactions. But how to detect Spyware on Android Phone?
1. Install AntiSpy Application
There are various antispy applications available on market. You should try more than one application because every app has its uniqueness in searching spies. If you don’t know how to detect Spyware on Android Phone then you should simply download antispy applications. It’s one of the easiest ways to detect Spyware.
Some best AntiSpy applications are:
- Antispy Mobile
- Malwarebytes
- Incognito Anti Spyware
I’m sure these applications will help you to detect Spyware to a certain point. Install these apps and start scanning, if there is any spy it would highlight to you. Developers are also getting advanced day by day. They are developing such software, even anti-spy software can’t detect.
2. Check Phone’s Network Usage
Checking your phone’s network usage regularly can reveal spies to you. Spyware needs an Internet connection to transfer data from your device to the developer. This process takes extra data usage. If you are seeing some extra data usage in your device, there are possibilities that your device has spyware. This process is very simple to find out spyware. You don’t have to install any app or you don’t have to do complicated stuff to detect spies.
- Go to settings>Data usage>check.
If you see any unnecessary data usage, the reason could be spyware.
3. Keep your Eye on Battery Usage
Go to your mobile settings and check your battery usage. If your phone’s battery is draining fast than usual, then your phone probably has spyware. Spyware needs battery access to track data and send them to the developer. In this process, spyware consumes the battery and your phone’s battery gets drained fast than usual. Spywares are always active in the background as a result of this battery gets drained.
- GO to settings >battery > track usage.
4. Receiving Suspicious Messages
If you are receiving suspicious messages from unknown sources with links, then it could be a trigger message for spyware. Developers get data from your phone and later use those data to send you spam messages. Don’t click on links sent from unknown sources.
5. Phone Shows Sign of Activity in standby mode
If you found any sigh of activities in standby mode, your phone has spyware. The sign could be anything, like – change of settings, file removal, uninstall apps, apps in the background. This is the easiest way of how to detect Spyware in an Android Phone.
6. Unexpected Reboots
If your phone is rebooting unnecessarily without your activity then probably anyone has access to your device This happens to many devices which have spied on them. This rebooting indicates that your device has spyware.
7. Device Gets Slow
Spyware makes your device slower than normal. Spyware causes serious changes in your device as a result of this your device gets slow and it starts lagging.
8. Difficulty in Shutting Down
When you have spyware in your device, you face problems to shut down your device. Spyware doesn’t allow you to shut down your device. When you shut down your device, spyware can’t detect your usage. This is why you face problems regarding Shutting down your device.
How to Detect Spyware in Android Phone and Protect your Device
Protecting your device from Spyware is very important. You can protect your device from spyware in some simple process.
1. Antivirus
Antivirus is the best way to protect your device from spyware. It scans your device and protects your device fromspy. There are many quality antiviruses on the Internet nowadays. You can simply install them and scan your device. Make sure you download from an authentic website.
2. AntiSpy Applications
AntiSpy applications help you to stay aware of spyware. It scans your device and keeps you updated on spyware. If spyware is found in your device, it highlights them to you.
3. Factory Reset
Reset your device to get rid of spyware. When you reset your device, spyware loses access to your device. Factory reset is a great technique to fight against spyware.
4. Download from Authentic Websites
Download software and games from an authentic website. From unauthentic websites, you get spyware that harms your privacy.
How to Keep Android Phone safe from spyware?
Don’t download apps or games from unauthentic websites. There are lots of spy software and games on the Internet. If users install software or game from an unauthentic website, there is a lot of chance that the software or game has spyware hidden inside it.
Don’t click on links from unknown messages. Message spyware is normally very simple spyware. In this process, users get an email, pop-ups, phone SMS, etc. In those messages, the developer attaches a spy link. Through clicking on that link users get in the trap of the developer and their device gets hacked.
How to Protect Android Phone from Spyware?
To protect your device from spyware:
- Antivirus is the best way to protect your device from spyware. It scans your device and protects your device from spy.
- AntiSpy applications help you to stay aware of spyware. It scans your device and keeps you updated on spyware.
- Reset your device to get rid of spyware. When you reset your device, spyware lose access to your device
- Download software and games from an authentic website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Spyware is a type of spy software that silently tracks and steals data from your device and sends it to the developer. Spyware allows the developer to get access to the device’s usages. This can be anything, like- software, command line, small program, etc.
Obviously, Spywares are dangerous. Through spyware, anyone can detect your device, steal data from your device. You lose all your privacy if you have Spyware on your device. The developer gets to know your password, pin, bank details, personal information, etc. Spyware is the biggest threat on the Internet today.
We get Spywares through various mediums. There are lots of spy software and games on the Internet. If users install software or game from an unauthentic website, there is a lot of chance that the software or game has spyware hidden inside it.
There is a lot of spyware on the Internet. But some common Spywares are – adware, Trojan, Keyboard Loggers, etc.
Adware is one of the most common Spyware. This spyware tracks user’s browsing data, we search and collect data. Later, the developer uses those data for advertising and marketing.
Spywares are basically developed by hackers and scammers. Stealing and tracking information is the primary goal of Spyware. The spyware helps developers to hack and make scams.
Conclusion
Nowadays spyware is the biggest threat on the Internet. People should be aware of this spyware. Spyware violates user’s privacy very strongly. Developers hack and do scams with help of spyware. Use antivirus, AntiSpy applications to keep your device safe from spyware. Try to make people know how to detect Spyware on Android Phone and keep them safe. Data is the most valuable thing nowadays so keep it safe.