Spyware: Difference between revisions
m link: adware, keylog, rootkit |
links! assuming the 'Malware' page will be created eventually since this 'Spyware' page exists. also 'Legally' should probably be lowercase. |
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Spyware is a form of malware designed to gather information from the infected device. Spyware comes in many different shapes and forms and may be installed intentionally or unintentionally.<ref name=":1" /> | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware Spyware] is a form of [[malware]] designed to gather information from the infected device. Spyware comes in many different shapes and forms and may be installed intentionally or unintentionally.<ref name=":1" /> | ||
There is considerable debate over the scope of the term malware; while some people and groups qualify certain non-malware software as spyware, such as [[Microsoft]], [[Meta]], and [[Google]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Petrino |first=Gene |title=The Data Big Tech Companies Have On You |url=https://www.security.org/resources/data-tech-companies-have/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260111171613/https://www.security.org/resources/data-tech-companies-have/ |archive-date=11 Jan 2026|access-date=21 August 2025 |website=security.org |type=Uses text to communicate information(with some additional imagery)}}</ref> owned software due to the large quantity of data these corporations collect from its users, others disagree with that qualification, due to the user having technically consented to the data collection. | There is considerable debate over the scope of the term malware; while some people and groups qualify certain non-malware software as spyware, such as [[Microsoft]], [[Meta]], and [[Google]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Petrino |first=Gene |title=The Data Big Tech Companies Have On You |url=https://www.security.org/resources/data-tech-companies-have/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260111171613/https://www.security.org/resources/data-tech-companies-have/ |archive-date=11 Jan 2026|access-date=21 August 2025 |website=security.org |type=Uses text to communicate information(with some additional imagery)}}</ref> owned software due to the large quantity of data these corporations collect from its users, others disagree with that qualification, due to the user having technically consented to the data collection. | ||
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Some "free" services, such as [[Google]] services(check here for more info: [[List of Google products]]), often come at the cost of user data being collected to be sold for profit and/or to be used as [[Artificial_intelligence/training|training data]] for [[artificial intelligence]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 Feb 2022 |title=What Does Big Tech Actually Do With Your Data? |url=https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2022/02/16/what-does-big-tech-actually-do-with-your-data/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241206070801/https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2022/02/16/what-does-big-tech-actually-do-with-your-data/ |archive-date=6 Dec 2024 |access-date=31 Jan 2026 |website=forbes.com}}</ref> | Some "free" services, such as [[Google]] services(check here for more info: [[List of Google products]]), often come at the cost of user data being collected to be sold for profit and/or to be used as [[Artificial_intelligence/training|training data]] for [[artificial intelligence]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 Feb 2022 |title=What Does Big Tech Actually Do With Your Data? |url=https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2022/02/16/what-does-big-tech-actually-do-with-your-data/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241206070801/https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2022/02/16/what-does-big-tech-actually-do-with-your-data/ |archive-date=6 Dec 2024 |access-date=31 Jan 2026 |website=forbes.com}}</ref> | ||
The | The legally collected data may also just be diagnostic data or just a way to make things "more convenient"(like with [[Web cookie|cookies]]). | ||
===Data that tends to get collected:=== | ===Data that tends to get collected:=== | ||
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==Methods used by companies (legal)== | ==Methods used by companies (legal)== | ||
#Cookies: Small pieces of data stored in files on your device(s). This type of data may include, but is not limited to: Preferences on websites, login information, & your browser history. | #[[Web_cookie|Cookies]]: Small pieces of data stored in files on your device(s). This type of data may include, but is not limited to: Preferences on websites, login information, & your browser history. | ||
#Tracking Pixels: Tracking pixels are incredibly small images that are embedded into websites or emails. This method allows companies to see how users interact with their content on the web. | #Tracking Pixels: Tracking pixels are incredibly small images that are embedded into websites or emails. This method allows companies to see how users interact with their content on the web. | ||
#Accounts & Online Forms: Websites typically have users sign up with an account so they can tie data to it. Both account setup and forms similar to it tend to require data such as: Email addresses, phone numbers, Names, & sometimes data that should be optional(like your location). | #Accounts & Online Forms: Websites typically have users sign up with an account so they can tie data to it. Both account setup and forms similar to it tend to require data such as: Email addresses, phone numbers, Names, & sometimes data that should be optional(like your location). | ||