Spyware and adware behave in different ways, but both end up on your device without you realizing exactly what you’ve installed.
Spyware is often the sneakier of the two, as it’s designed to collect personal information while avoiding detection. It can monitor your activity and create logs of what you do or type on the device. Adware is usually much more “in-your-face,” bombarding you with unwanted ads, pop-ups, or redirects.
Neither is something you want hanging around. Spyware can put sensitive information at risk, while aggressive adware can disrupt your browsing and create more privacy or security concerns. Knowing how each one behaves makes it easier to spot the warning signs, get rid of unwanted software, and avoid picking it up in the first place.
What Is Spyware?
Spyware is malicious software that collects data from a device and sends it to an outside party without the device owner noticing. It collects information about your activity on the device, such as your browsing history, login credentials, banking account details, and even what files you store.
Particularly invasive spyware, called “stalkerware,” can log keystrokes, take screenshots, or even use the device’s camera or microphone to capture audio or video information.
Sorting spyware into discrete categories can be difficult, as many can overlap in their entry method and targeted data. For example, a piece of spyware could log keystrokes, collect clipboard data, and steal browser cookies. Some commonly used categories include:
- Tracking cookies: Allow sites to identify your activity across repeated visits or several sites.
- Keyloggers: Monitor keystrokes and typing patterns to gather sensitive information, usually passwords.
- Infostealers: Collect a specific piece of information, such as login credentials, browser cookies, clipboard contents, or contact book information.
- System monitors: Capture a lot of system activity, including mouse pointer position, click activity, screenshots, and screen recordings.
How to Recognize Spyware
Spyware avoids detection, but its activity might have visible side effects. However, keep in mind that these signs aren’t necessarily a result of spyware, as they could be caused by glitches, malfunctions, or legitimate software:
- Reduced performance: The device might start up more slowly, or its apps might take longer to respond.
- Increased network activity: Data usage could be increasing even when the user isn’t browsing the web.
- Account changes: Passwords or recovery email addresses might change without the user’s knowledge.
- Higher storage usage: Logs, screenshots, or recordings the spyware makes take up storage on your device.
- Camera or microphone activity: The device’s camera or microphone indicators might turn on without the user opening their associated apps.
What Is Adware?
Adware is any software that displays ads on a user’s device to generate revenue. The software can be legitimate, as it might be included as part of a free software package so the developer can earn ad revenue. However, the term “adware” also commonly refers to malware that injects apps into the device’s interface without your consent.
Malicious adware can work in various ways:
- Pop-up: Opens new browser tabs or windows containing ads in the background.
- Browser hijacking: Changes the browser’s default home page, new tab page, or search engine to pages that display ads.
- Search engine redirect: Intercepts search requests and redirects them to a results page with ads.
- In-app banner: Places ads inside a program’s interface, such as a browser or file explorer.
How to Recognize Adware
Because serving ads is adware’s main purpose, it’s usually easier to detect its presence without specialized tools than spyware. Common signs can include:
- Frequent pop-ups: Sudden increases in the number of pop-up ads, including on sites that don’t usually have them.
- Changed browser settings: Different home page, new tab page, or default search engine settings.
- New browser add-ons: Unfamiliar toolbars, plugins, and extensions appearing in the browser without your permission.
- Unexpected redirects: Legitimate links send you to unfamiliar or suspicious pages.
Can Spyware and Adware Overlap?
Some adware can include tracking functions that monitor user behavior, such as browsing history, search terms, or clicked links. They often do this to serve more targeted ads. This behavior is a function of spyware, as it collects user data without their awareness or consent. In such cases, the malicious software works as both adware and spyware.
The term “malvertising” describes adware that serves as a delivery mechanism for more harmful malware, including spyware. For example, adware can create a pop-up that asks the user to close the window, but with a fake close button that triggers a download.
How Spyware and Adware Infect Your Device
Spyware and adware can infect devices through similar channels. They rely on a lack of user awareness or outright deception. In most cases, you click on a link, download a file, forget to uncheck a box during installation, or agree to terms without reading them.
Some common spyware and adware distribution methods include:
- Software bundles: Some apps may include extra software during installation. If you accept the default settings or speed through the process, you may install spyware or adware alongside the intended program.
- Fake downloads: Pirate sites can host downloads containing spyware or adware, padded to appear to have a more believable file size than the named content.
- Fake download buttons: Many sites that offer downloads might have ad banners that look like “Download” buttons. Clicking such a fake button could initiate a download containing spyware or adware.
- Email attachments: Spam or phishing emails can contain attachments or links that install spyware or adware when opened.
- Malicious ads: Pop-up and overlaying ads might try to download or install spyware or adware if you interact with them.
- Downloader trojans: Many types of trojans can act as backdoors through which spyware can infect a device.
How to Remove Spyware and Adware from Your Device
Removing spyware and adware from your device usually requires specialized software. Get a reliable, reputable anti-malware tool, ideally one specialized to detect and remove spyware and adware. Run a full system scan and follow the necessary steps to clear your device of spyware and adware. You might need to restart your device or boot it in safe mode before scanning.
You could also manually hunt down and remove spyware and adware from your device, but this is an option best left to more tech-savvy users. The process involves identifying, locating, and deleting specific files, changing registry entries, and more. Making a mistake while trying to delete spyware and adware could cause system malfunctions.
How to Avoid Spyware and Adware
You can adopt some security-mindful practices and reduce the risk of spyware and adware infections:
- Use official sources: Download software only from trusted app stores and official websites, as they’re less likely to have bundled malware.
- Pay attention to install wizards: Read the dialogs carefully and uncheck any offers for additional software you don’t need.
- Scan your device: Set up your anti-malware software to regularly check your device and detect adware and spyware.
- Be cautious with email attachments: Don’t open attachments from unknown senders. If a trusted contact sends you an unexpected or suspicious-looking attachment, verify it with them through another channel.
- Close pop-ups: Avoid clicking on pop-ups, especially ones that offer free scans or claim that something’s infected your system.
- Use an ad blocker: Add an ad blocker extension to your browser to avoid the possibility of getting adware and spyware from a malicious ad.
Stay One Step Ahead of Spyware and Adware
Spyware and adware are distinct forms of malware and they diverge in their purpose and behavior. Spyware collects user data without consent, while adware displays ads to generate profit. However, they can sometimes have significant overlap — adware can collect user activity or deliver spyware to the infected device.
Effectively protecting yourself from spyware and adware involves exercising caution, regularly checking your system, and using reliable security tools. Dedicated anti-malware software is likely the best instrument in your toolbox, but ad and malicious site blockers can also help. CyberGhost VPN has a built-in Content Blocker, which helps you avoid known domains that could infect your device with spyware or adware.
FAQ
What is the difference between spyware and adware?
The main differences lie in their core purposes and operation methods. Spyware collects user data without consent and operates in secret. Adware shows ads to generate revenue, so it operates visibly. However, adware could also be used to collect data in the background or deliver spyware, so the two categories can have some overlap.
Is adware a type of spyware?
No, they’re distinct categories of malware. Adware focuses on showing ads, while spyware focuses on collecting data. However, some types of adware have tracking features that collect user data, so they can be categorized as a form of spyware as well.
Which is more dangerous, spyware or adware?
Spyware is generally more dangerous. It collects sensitive information such as passwords, login credentials, or user activity, which can be a serious breach of privacy. Adware is mostly a nuisance that affects user experience. While seeing constant ads isn’t ideal, adware often doesn’t pose the same level of danger.
How can I tell if I have spyware or adware?
Some signs can include slower performance and increased data usage, though this can also be a result of unrelated issues. Adware is particularly noticeable, with frequent pop-ups, changed browser settings, and page redirects. A malware scanner program is a reliable way to determine if you have spyware or adware on your device.
How can I remove spyware and adware?
The most reliable way to remove spyware and adware is running a full system scan with reputable anti-malware software and following its instructions. For more severe cases, restoring the system to a previous state or reinstalling the operating system might be necessary. While you could manually try to remove spyware and adware from your device, this is best left to advanced users.
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