Spyware – What is it and How Can I Prevent it?

Sist oppdatert: 10/03/2025

Spyware is a type of malicious software that covertly infects your device, gathers information about you, and sends it to a third party without your consent. It essentially spies on your activities – tracking what you type, what sites you visit, and even capturing personal data like passwords or credit card numbers. This makes spyware extremely dangerous, as it can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, privacy invasions, and other harm if your sensitive information is misused. Often, spyware runs silently in the background, so you may not even realize your device is compromised until damage is done. In short, spyware is like a digital spy hiding in your phone or computer, monitoring your every move and jeopardizing your security.

How Spyware Infects Devices

Spyware doesn’t magically appear on your device – it has to find a way in. Attackers use a variety of tricks and tactics to infect victims with spyware. Below are some of the most common infection methods, including phishing, malicious downloads, and unsecured networks:

• Phishing Emails and Malicious Links: One of the top ways spyware spreads is through phishing – fraudulent emails or messages that trick you into clicking bad links or opening infected attachments. Scammers often send emails posing as legitimate institutions (your bank, a service provider, etc.), urging you to click a link or download a file. If you fall for it, a hidden spyware installer may run. Email attachments are equally dangerous – opening an unknown attachment (like a fake invoice or document) can secretly install a spyware program. In short, if you “open email attachments from unknown senders” or “click a link to a malware-laden website,” you could be inviting spyware onto your device. Always be suspicious of unsolicited emails or texts asking you to click something urgent.
• Malicious or Unofficial Downloads: Another common infection route is downloading software or apps from unreliable sources. Cybercriminals often hide spyware inside free software, pirated games, cracks, or screensavers. When you install that tempting “free” program, you might also be installing a spyware payload. Simply “downloading software from an unreliable source” or pirating media files can lead to a spyware infection. The spyware may be bundled with the app installer or disguised as a harmless utility. Always stick to official app stores and trusted websites for downloads. Check reviews and publisher info before installing new software.
• Unsecured Public Wi-Fi Networks: Using public Wi-Fi (like at airports, cafes, or hotels) can put you at risk of spyware, especially if the network is not secure. Hackers on the same open network can perform man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks to intercept your web traffic or even inject malware into your browsing session. Public Wi-Fi that isn’t encrypted allows attackers to eavesdrop on data you send and receive. Worse yet, they can exploit security holes on your device to push spyware onto it. In fact, when you connect to public Wi-Fi, it may open you up to malware attacks by bad actors on that network – they can exploit vulnerabilities in your device’s software to install malicious programs (including spyware) without your knowledge. For instance, an attacker could hijack your HTTP web traffic and slip spyware into a file download or a website script. Unsecured networks (or rogue “free Wi-Fi” hotspots that hackers set up) are a hotbed for such attacks. This is why it’s dangerous to use public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities unless you take precautions (as we’ll discuss, a VPN is one good precaution here).
• Other Methods: Beyond the big three above, there are additional ways spyware infiltrates devices. Social engineering plays a role – sometimes a pop-up ad might claim “Your device is infected! Click here to clean it,” but clicking actually installs spyware. Accepting prompts or pop-ups without reading can be risky. Spyware can also piggyback on software vulnerabilities – if your operating system or apps are outdated, hackers can use known exploits to drop spyware onto your system. In some cases, simply visiting a compromised website (especially if your browser/plugins are outdated) can result in a drive-by download of spyware. Removable media like USB drives can carry spyware as well. The key point is that attackers will use any opening – from user mistakes (like clicking the wrong thing) to technical flaws – to infect devices with spyware. Being aware of these methods helps you stay vigilant against infection.

How VPNs Help Prevent Spyware

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a service that encrypts your internet connection and routes it through a secure server. While a VPN is not an antivirus or a removal tool for malware already on your device, it can significantly reduce the risk of getting spyware in the first place. VPNs primarily protect you online – they secure your data in transit and help maintain privacy. Here are some of the ways using a VPN can help prevent spyware infections:

Encrypted Traffic – Protection on Unsecured Networks: A VPN encrypts all the data you send over the internet. This encrypted tunnel means that even if a hacker intercepts your traffic (say, on public Wi-Fi), they can’t read or alter it. The encryption basically scrambles your data into gibberish that only the VPN server can decode. This protects you from the kind of Wi-Fi eavesdropping and MITM attacks that often deliver spyware. For example, on an open café Wi-Fi, an attacker might try to intercept your connection to inject malware – but if you’re connected to a VPN, your connection is “encased” in strong encryption, preventing third parties from inserting or viewing anything. In this way, a VPN acts like a secure tunnel through a dangerous area: even if spyware is lurking on the network, it can’t easily latch onto your encrypted stream of data. This dramatically lowers the risk of getting hit by drive-by downloads or exploit kits when browsing on untrusted networks.

Anonymous Browsing – Hiding Your IP and Identity: When you use a VPN, it also hides your real IP address and replaces it with the IP of the VPN server. This adds a layer of anonymity as you browse. Why does that matter for spyware? Because your IP address can reveal your general location and is often used to target attacks. With a VPN, you’re effectively masking your identity online, which makes it harder for attackers to single you out or launch attacks directly against your device. Additionally, many spyware infections come through malicious ads or trackers on websites. A VPN won’t stop all ads, but by masking your identity and sometimes blocking trackers, it can reduce the personalized targeting that adware/spyware networks use. Essentially, anonymous browsing means less exposure – you leave behind fewer traces for would-be snoops to use in deploying spyware.

Secure Connections (HTTPS and DNS): VPNs encourage safer connections overall. Most quality VPN services force all your traffic through encrypted channels and often ensure you use secure protocols. For instance, a good VPN will send your web requests as HTTPS whenever possible (or even route your DNS requests safely – more on DNS later). This means even if you accidentally visit an HTTP site on public Wi-Fi, the VPN’s encryption still wraps it. Also, some spyware tries to redirect your traffic to fake sites (through DNS hijacking) or intercept your DNS queries to send you to malicious domains. A VPN can prevent that by including your DNS lookups inside the encrypted tunnel, so they can’t be seen or tampered with by outsiders. In short, a VPN ensures all aspects of your connection are secure – not just the webpage content, but the background name lookups and other signals too. This holistic encryption makes it much harder for spyware to sneak in via network-level tricks.

Blocking Malicious Sites and Ads (VPN Security Features): While encryption and anonymity are the core benefits of any VPN, many modern VPN services offer built-in security features that can directly block malware. For example, some VPNs maintain blacklists of dangerous websites or ad networks known to spread malware. If you try to visit a known phishing or malware site, the VPN can block the request, protecting you from even loading the booby-trapped page. These VPNs can also block ads and trackers, which are often used by spyware to monitor your activity. This means fewer chances to even encounter spyware in the wild. By filtering out malicious content at the network level, the VPN can stop you from inadvertently downloading spyware or landing on an infected site. It’s like having a security guard for your internet connection – many threats get turned away before they ever reach your browser.

Best VPN Features for Spyware Protection

Not all VPNs are equal when it comes to security. If you want a VPN that specifically helps guard against spyware and other malware, look for the following key features. These features add extra layers of protection to ensure your VPN isn’t just private, but also safe from leaks or unexpected exposures.

DNS Leak Protection

A critical feature to seek is DNS leak protection. DNS (Domain Name System) is like the address book of the internet – your device uses DNS to translate website names (like example.com) into IP addresses. Normally, these DNS queries could potentially “leak” outside the VPN (for instance, going to your ISP’s DNS server instead of through the VPN). If that happens, a spy or attacker might see what websites you’re visiting even if your main traffic is encrypted. DNS leaks can also be exploited by attackers (especially on compromised networks) to send you to bogus sites. VPNs with DNS leak protection ensure all your DNS requests go through the encrypted VPN tunnel and use the VPN’s secure DNS servers.

Kill Switch

A kill switch is another must-have VPN feature for security. A kill switch is basically a fail-safe that automatically cuts off your internet access if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. This prevents any accidental exposure of your real IP or unencrypted traffic in those moments. Why is this important for spyware prevention? Imagine you’re downloading a file or browsing on public Wi-Fi with a VPN on, and the VPN suddenly disconnects due to a network hiccup. Without a kill switch, your device would immediately revert to the regular, unprotected connection – during that gap, an attacker could sniff your traffic or target you. With a kill switch enabled, however, if the VPN drops, your internet is paused altogether, blocking any data from going out or coming in until the secure tunnel is restored.

Malware and Phishing Blockers

As mentioned earlier, some VPNs offer built-in malware blockers or filters. These can go by various names (CleanWeb, CyberSec, Threat Protection, etc.), but the idea is the same: the VPN client will actively block known malicious domains, phishing websites, and sometimes even scan downloads for malware. This feature is extremely useful in preventing spyware because it stops you from visiting the very places where spyware lurks.

Secure VPN Protocols and Encryption Standards

Finally, pay attention to the VPN protocols and encryption standards a service uses. VPN “protocols” are the methods by which your data is encapsulated and transported securely. Some protocols are much more secure than others. For strong spyware protection, you want a VPN that uses modern, trusted protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard, paired with robust encryption (AES-256, for example). These protocols ensure your connection is not only encrypted, but also resistant to tampering or decoding by attackers.

Additional Security Measures

A VPN is a powerful tool for privacy and security, but it should not be your only defense against spyware. Think of a VPN as one layer in a multi-layered security strategy. To fully protect yourself from spyware, you need to practice good cybersecurity habits alongside using a VPN. Here are some additional security measures to implement:

• Use Antivirus/Anti-Malware Software: Always run reputable antivirus or anti-spyware software on your devices. An antivirus program will detect and block many types of malware, including spyware, if they ever make it onto your system. Keep your security software updated so it can recognize the latest threats. This provides a crucial second layer if something bypasses your VPN – for example, if you accidentally execute a spyware file, the antivirus can catch and remove it.
• Keep Your OS and Apps Updated: Regularly update your operating system, web browser, and all applications. Software updates often include security patches for new vulnerabilities. By staying updated, you close known security holes that spyware could exploit. Turn on automatic updates if possible, so you don’t miss critical patches. A fully patched device is a harder target for any malware.
• Be Careful with Emails and Links: Practice safe clicking habits. Don’t open attachments or click on links in emails or messages from unknown senders. Even if the sender looks familiar, be wary of unexpected attachments or strange link URLs (they could be spoofed).
• Use Strong Passwords and 2FA: Use strong, unique passwords for all your accounts and devices, and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. While this doesn’t prevent spyware per se, it can limit damage. For instance, some spyware logs keystrokes to steal passwords – but if you have 2FA, the thief would still need the second factor to break into your account.
• Avoid Unsecured Wi-Fi (or Use a VPN): Public Wi-Fi risks were discussed earlier – the takeaway is to avoid using unsecured Wi-Fi networks whenever you can, or always use your VPN on them. If you’re out and about, it may be safer to use your mobile data or a trusted hotspot instead of random free Wi-Fi.
• Download Wisely and Use Official Sources: Only download apps and files from official or reputable sources. Stick to the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, or verified publisher websites. Avoid the temptation to install pirated software or “cracked” apps – these are major spyware vectors.
• Back Up Your Data: Regularly back up important data from your devices (either to an external drive or a secure cloud service). In case a spyware infection does occur and you need to wipe your device, you won’t lose your important files.

By combining these measures with a VPN, you’re covering multiple bases. The VPN secures your connection and privacy, the antivirus catches malicious files, updates patch vulnerabilities, and your good browsing habits reduce the chance of falling for traps. This multi-layered approach is the best way to stay safe from spyware.

In conclusion, using a VPN can be a highly effective step in preventing spyware infections. A VPN’s encrypted tunnel shields you from eavesdroppers on unsecure networks and closes off many of the common avenues through which spyware might sneak into your device. However, it’s crucial to remember that no single tool can guarantee 100% security. VPNs address the network-based risks and improve privacy, but you must also fortify the device itself and practice safe behavior. The combination of a reliable VPN service and smart cybersecurity habits (antivirus, updates, cautious clicking, etc.) provides a robust defense against spyware. Stay safe out there!

Recommended VPN Services and How They Help Protect Against Spyware

ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is known for its fast servers and advanced security protocols, offering you a safe and anonymous way to stream content without interruptions. Its top-tier encryption safeguards your data from prying eyes and helps prevent spyware from tracking your activities. Whether you’re at home or on a public network, the user-friendly app lets you connect to a secure server in seconds, so you can start streaming quickly and with peace of mind.

Prøv ExpressVPN

NordVPN
NordVPN is a robust option for streaming without restrictions while keeping your personal information secure. Thanks to double encryption and a strict no-logs policy, your private data stays anonymous and is much harder for spyware to access. The built-in CyberSec feature also blocks malicious websites and intrusive ads that might harbor spyware, giving you a safer and more stable streaming experience overall.

Prøv NordVPN

Surfshark
Surfshark is an affordable alternative that still delivers high performance and strong protection against spyware. Its CleanWeb feature automatically blocks ads, malicious websites, and trackers, reducing your chances of encountering spyware while you stream. Surfshark also supports unlimited simultaneous connections, so everyone in your household can enjoy secure streaming on multiple devices—all under one account.

Prøv Surfshark