Definitions for spyware
spy·ware

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. spywarenoun

   computer software that obtains information from a user's computer without the user's knowledge or consent

WiktionaryRate this definition:4.0 / 1 vote

1. spywarenoun

   programs that surreptitiously monitor and report the actions of a computer user.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Spyware

   Spyware (a portmanteau for spying software) is software with malicious behaviour that aims to gather information about a person or organization and send it to another entity in a way that harms the user—for example, by violating their privacy or endangering their device's security. This behaviour may be present in malware as well as in legitimate software. Websites may engage in spyware behaviours like web tracking. Hardware devices may also be affected. Spyware is frequently associated with advertising and involves many of the same issues. Because these behaviors are so common, and can have non-harmful uses, providing a precise definition of spyware is a difficult task.

FreebaseRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Spyware

   Spyware is a software that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge and that may send such information to another entity without the consumer's consent, or that asserts control over a computer without the consumer's knowledge "Spyware" is mostly classified into four types: system monitors, trojans, adware, and tracking cookies. Spyware is mostly used for the purposes such as; tracking and storing internet users' movements on the web; serving up pop-up ads to internet users. Whenever spyware is used for malicious purposes, its presence is typically hidden from the user and can be difficult to detect. Some spyware, such as keyloggers, may be installed by the owner of a shared, corporate, or public computer intentionally in order to monitor users. While the term spyware suggests software that monitors a user's computing, the functions of spyware can extend beyond simple monitoring. Spyware can collect almost any type of data, including personal information like Internet surfing habits, user logins, and bank or credit account information. Spyware can also interfere with user control of a computer by installing additional software or redirecting Web browsers. Some spyware can change computer settings, which can result in slow Internet connection speeds, un-authorized changes in browser settings, or changes to software settings.

The New Hacker's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. spyware

   1. Software which, when installed by a user insufficiently enlightened to avoid it, enables third parties to snoop the user's hard drive or monitor their network transactions. Though the term seems to have entered use in the late 1990s, it achieved real popularity as applied to Microsoft Windows XP. Some back door features in XP permit Microsoft to (for example) covertly scan your disk directories for the names of files it might deem to be warez. 2. Systems for spying on email and web traffic, such as the FBI's Carnivore.

Matched Categories

1. • Software

Anagrams for spyware »

1. yawpers

How to pronounce spyware?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say spyware in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of spyware in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of spyware in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of spyware in a Sentence

1. The UN experts:

   The forensic analysis assessed that the intrusion likely was undertaken through the use of a prominent spyware product identified in other Saudi surveillance cases.

2. Ron Deibert:

   Our research shows there is a crisis in civil society because of the abuse of commercial spyware.

3. John Whitehead:

   …government agencies such as the CIA and the NSA have been spying on the citizenry through our smart TVs, listening in on our phone calls, hacking into our computerized devices (including our cars) and compromising our security systems through the use of spyware and malware.

4. Citizen Lab:

   There's now undeniable evidence... that the mercenary spyware industry is facilitating the spread of authoritarian practices and contributing to massive human rights abuses.

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