: software that is installed in a computer or mobile device without the user's knowledge and that transmits information about the user's activities
Jan should scan her computer for viruses, worms, and spyware … Kenneth Baldauf and Ralph Stair
Smartphones belonging to more than three dozen journalists, human rights activists, and business executives have been infected with powerful spyware that an Israeli firm sells, purportedly to catch terrorists and criminals, The Washington Post and other publications reported. Dan Goodin
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebThis kind of bug has been exploited in the past by nation-state spyware, first breaking into the device’s web browser in order to gain control of the whole operating system and accessing sensitive data. Alice Hearing, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2022 The Predator spyware is a less sophisticated version of Pegasus, a software that was developed by Israeli company NSO Group, ostensibly to help governments catch criminals and terrorists. Monika Pronczuk, BostonGlobe.com, 27 July 2022 The spyware can even use the phone to remotely track and record its user. Uri Blau, ProPublica, 12 July 2022 The spyware resulted in considerable damning audio and footage, duly incorporated here. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 June 2022 On iPhone, the spyware exploited six different vulnerabilities, two of which TAG says were zero-days. Nathaniel Mott, PCMAG, 23 June 2022 The spyware silently infiltrates phones or other devices to harvest data and potentially spy on their owners.NBC News, 2 May 2022 Monjib, whose smartphone was infected with Pegasus spyware, was jailed for three months last year on money-laundering charges. Claire Parker, Washington Post, 28 July 2022 Thai pro-democracy activists were targeted by Pegasus spyware, researchers say.Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2022 See More