An employee arrives at work, opens their laptop, and finds their work email account has been locked out. No suspicious login alerts. No memory of clicking anything unusual. What happened behind the scenes was far quieter: spyware had been running for weeks, recording every keystroke and sending credentials to an unauthorized party.
This is not a rare scenario. A Forbes report found that spyware and similar malware were behind approximately 75% of the 3.9 billion credentials stolen throughout 2024. Separate data from Check Point recorded a 160% spike in hijacked accounts in early 2025 compared to the same period the year before.
What Is Spyware?
Spyware is a type of malicious software (malware) designed to infiltrate a device and collect user data silently, without consent. Unlike viruses that corrupt or destroy files, spyware deliberately stays out of sight because its primary objective is to steal information, not cause visible damage.
The data spyware targets is wide-ranging: login credentials, credit card numbers, browsing history, and work documents stored on the device. In a corporate environment, a single infected device is enough to expose an entire internal network.
So what do attackers actually do with stolen data? A few scenarios play out regularly. Login credentials are either sold on the dark web or used directly to take over the victim’s accounts. Financial information such as credit card details is used for unauthorized transactions, while sensitive company data can lead to extortion or a public breach that damages business reputation.
For a deeper look at how spyware operates and why organizations need to treat it as a serious threat, read the full article: Spyware: Digital Spies Targeting Your Company’s Credentials and Sensitive Data.
How Spyware Works
Spyware does not act immediately upon entering a device. It moves through a series of stages in sequence, and understanding this flow explains why the threat is so difficult to detect until it is already too late.
- Stage 1: Infiltration
Spyware enters through the channels described above, from email attachments and bundled software to exploiting unpatched security vulnerabilities. At this stage, there are no visible signs. - Stage 2: Installation and Persistence
Once inside, spyware installs itself and ensures it stays active even after the device is restarted. It does this by registering as a startup process, disguising itself as a legitimate system service, or embedding itself within the Windows registry. - Stage 3: Monitoring and Data Collection
Spyware begins recording activity continuously. Depending on its type, it may log keystrokes, take periodic screenshots, access the device’s camera and microphone, or monitor network traffic entering and leaving the device. - Stage 4: Data Transmission
Collected data is sent periodically to a server controlled by the attacker, known as a Command and Control (C2) server. Transmissions are often timed during low-activity hours to avoid detection, and kept small in volume to stay under the radar of network monitoring tools. - Stage 5: Detection Evasion
More sophisticated spyware actively monitors for running antivirus processes and disables or works around them. Some variants even update themselves to close off the gaps that security tools might otherwise use to detect them.
How Does Spyware Get Into a Device?
The way spyware enters a device depends heavily on its type. Understanding each entry point alongside the specific signs it produces helps you identify a threat far faster before the damage spreads.
Keylogger
Keyloggers typically arrive through phishing email attachments or bundled software, meaning free applications that silently include a keylogger without the user’s knowledge. Once installed, it runs in the background immediately, recording every keystroke including passwords, PINs, and private messages.
The signs of a keylogger infection are not immediately visible. The most common indicator is suspicious login activity on your accounts, such as notifications showing access from an unfamiliar location or device, even though you have never shared your credentials with anyone.
Adware
Adware most commonly enters through the installation of free applications downloaded outside of official app stores, particularly those offering premium features at no cost. During installation, this type of spyware is bundled as a hidden component the user never knowingly agreed to install.
The signs are relatively easy to spot: your browser becomes flooded with pop-up ads even after it is closed, your homepage changes to a site you never set, and your searches are frequently redirected to irrelevant websites.
Trojan
Trojans disguise themselves as legitimate-looking files, such as popular software installers, PDF documents, or cracked versions of paid applications found on internet forums. Unlike other types, Trojans frequently exploit security gaps in unpatched systems, meaning the installation can happen without any direct action from the user.
Warning signs to watch for include: your device suddenly running slower without any clear reason, unusual CPU or RAM spikes while the device is idle, and abnormal network activity during hours when your device should not be actively communicating.
Stalkerware
Stalkerware is almost always physically installed by someone with direct access to the device, such as a family member, partner, or colleague. It typically hides behind applications labeled as “parental control” software or ordinary utility apps that appear legitimate on the surface.
What sets stalkerware apart from other types is its behavioral footprint: your phone battery drains far faster than normal, the device feels warm even when not in use, and background data usage spikes unusually high because stalkerware actively transmits GPS location, messages, and activity recordings in real time.
Read also: The Difference Between Spyware and Malware: From System Failure to Employee Identity Theft
7 Effective Ways to Remove Spyware
The steps below are designed to address spyware in general, meaning they are effective against the various types covered above, from keyloggers and adware to Trojans and stalkerware. For certain steps, there are specific notes relevant to particular spyware types.
The sequence is organized from the most foundational to longer-term security measures. All steps should be carried out in order rather than selectively, because spyware that has taken hold in a system often leaves more than one trace behind.
1. Run a Full Antivirus Scan
Start by updating your antivirus software’s virus definitions, then run a full scan, not just a quick scan. Make sure real-time protection is active so that every incoming file is checked before it runs.
For example, if you are using Windows Defender, open “Virus and Threat Protection”, select “Scan Options”, choose “Full Scan”, and click “Scan Now”. The process takes longer than a quick scan, but it covers far more ground, including the areas where spyware most commonly hides.
2. Use a Dedicated Anti-Spyware Tool
General-purpose antivirus software does not always detect spyware embedded deep within system processes, particularly Trojans that have been installed for some time. Use a dedicated anti-spyware tool such as Malwarebytes, Spybot Search and Destroy, or SUPERAntiSpyware for a more thorough scan.
For instance, the free version of Malwarebyte, is sufficient for a manual scan. Running it alongside your primary antivirus is safe because the two do not conflict with each other and actually complement each other’s coverage.
3. Remove Suspicious Programs and Browser Extensions
Open your installed applications list and uninstall any program you do not recognize or never intentionally installed. The same applies to browser extensions, since adware frequently hides there: review each one and remove anything unfamiliar.
On Windows, go to “Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program” and sort by installation date to surface programs that appeared without your knowledge. In Chrome, open the three-dot menu in the top right corner, select “Extensions”, and remove any extension you cannot account for.
4. Reset Your Browser to Default Settings
If your browser is still displaying excessive ads or redirecting you to unwanted sites after extensions have been removed, perform a full reset to factory defaults. This will clear any configuration that adware or a Trojan may have modified.
In Chrome, go to “Settings > Reset Settings > Restore settings to their original defaults”. In Firefox, type “about:support” in the address bar and click “Refresh Firefox”. After the reset, only reinstall extensions you genuinely need and can verify the source of.
5. Update Your Operating System and All Applications
Spyware regularly exploits security gaps in outdated systems, particularly Trojans that target vulnerabilities in specific browsers or plugins. Keep your operating system and all applications, including browsers and plugins like Adobe Reader, on their latest versions at all times.
Enable automatic updates where possible. Security patches released by vendors are specifically designed to close known and actively exploited vulnerabilities, so delaying an update is effectively leaving that door unlocked.
6. Review App Permissions, Especially on Mobile Devices
For stalkerware, which frequently targets mobile phones, review the permissions granted to every installed app. A calculator or flashlight app requesting access to your microphone, location, and contacts is a clear warning sign that needs immediate attention.
On Android, go to “Settings > Apps > [app name] > Permissions”. On iOS, open “Settings > Privacy and Security”. Revoke any permission that has no logical connection to the app’s function, and delete any app whose presence on your device you cannot explain.
7. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication on All Accounts
If spyware, particularly a keylogger, has already stolen your password, multi-factor authentication (MFA) acts as a barrier that blocks unauthorized access even when credentials have been compromised. Enable MFA on all important accounts, especially email, banking, and work applications.
Use an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator rather than SMS-based OTPs, which are more vulnerable to interception. With MFA active, even if your password is already in someone else’s hands, they still cannot log in without the code that only appears on your device.
Long-Term Spyware Prevention
Cleaning up after a spyware infection takes time and resources. It is far more efficient to prevent it from the start by building consistent security habits.
Here are the prevention steps that need to be applied on a regular basis:
- Only download software from official sources: Use official app stores or go directly to the vendor’s website.
- Verify the sender before opening any email attachment: A sender address that looks legitimate is not a guarantee; always check the actual domain carefully.
- Keep a firewall active on all devices: A firewall blocks unauthorized outbound connections, including data transmission attempts by spyware.
- Apply the principle of least privilege: Grant only the access each account genuinely requires, whether in a personal or corporate environment.
- Run regular access audits: Review who has access to your systems and revoke permissions that are no longer needed.
- Schedule routine scans:
- For general users -> weekly is sufficient.
- For work devices handling sensitive data -> daily scheduled scans with automatic definition updates are the better standard.
For organizations specifically, security awareness training for all staff has a measurable impact on reducing malware incidents. A single careless click from one employee is enough to open a pathway into an entire company’s digital infrastructure.
Read also: Avoid These Habits: 7 User Habits That Can Weaken Security Systems.
Conclusion
Spyware is not a threat that organizations managing sensitive user data and business information can afford to overlook. Cleaning an infected device is only part of the work. What matters far more is ensuring that access to your systems is protected by strict identity controls from the start.
This is where Adaptist Prime comes in. Prime is an Identity and Access Management (IAM) platform that ensures only verified, authorized users can access your systems, with layered authentication, centralized access rights management, and real-time account activity monitoring built in.
With Adaptist Prime, your organization can cut off the spyware attack chain before sensitive data ever leaves your environment. Learn more about Adaptist Prime here.
Ready to Manage Digital Identities as a Business Security Strategy?
Request a demo today and discover how IAM solutions centralize user logins through Single Sign-On (SSO), automate employee onboarding, and protect company data from unauthorized access without disrupting productivity with repeated logins.
FAQ
Antivirus helps, but it is not always sufficient because some spyware is specifically designed to evade standard detection. Combine it with a dedicated anti-spyware tool and regular system updates for more complete protection.
Yes, both Android and iOS devices are at risk, particularly when apps are installed from outside official stores or when the device connects to public Wi-Fi without a VPN.
Immediately change the passwords on all important accounts from a clean device, enable multi-factor authentication, and contact your IT team or the relevant service provider to check for any unauthorized activity.
Yes. Some spyware exploits security gaps in unpatched systems or takes advantage of advertisements displayed on reputable websites, meaning infection can occur without any direct action from the user.
For general users, a weekly scan is sufficient. For devices used in work environments or handling sensitive data, daily scheduled scans with automatic definition updates are the better standard.
