spyware

noun spy·ware \ ˈspī-ˌwer \

|Updated on: 20 Jul 2018

Definition of spyware

: software that is installed in a computer without the user's knowledge and transmits information about the user's computer activities over the Internet

See spyware defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of spyware from the Web

And the Mexican government has purchased tens of millions of dollars’ worth of the spyware, using it to eavesdrop on lawyers, journalists and government critics, as the New York Times reported last year.

— derek hawkins, Washington Post, "The Cybersecurity 202: Spyware theft case offers a cautionary tale for encryption debate," 6 July 2018
The increase is being driven by the proliferation both of low-cost smartphones and of companies selling spyware and hacking tools to access them, said Claudio Guarnieri, a security researcher with the human-rights group Amnesty International.

— robert mcmillan, WSJ, "Mobile-Phone Malware Is Rising. Blame Spies.," 7 June 2018
Installing powerful spyware is just a few clicks away.

— nicki dell, karen levy, damon mccoy, Vox, "How domestic abusers use smartphones to spy on their partners," 21 May 2018
Peña Nieto, who ran as a reformer, was involved in a scandal in which his wife obtained a luxurious house from a developer with connections to the government; later, his administration was accused of using spyware to eavesdrop on opponents.

— jon lee anderson, The New Yorker, "A New Revolution in Mexico," 25 June 2012
In fact, Talos found that one element of VPNFilter's code overlaps with BlackEnergy, an all-purpose piece of spyware that was used in the first stages of hacker intrusions that hit Ukraine in 2014.

— andy greenberg, WIRED, "Stealthy, Destructive Malware Infects Half a Million Routers," 23 May 2018
Windows If you are bombarded with pop-up ads, first run a scan with anti-spyware software to double-check.

— kim komando, Fox News, "5 quick fixes for computer problems," 29 Apr. 2018
Windows If you are bombarded with pop-up ads, first run a scan with anti-spyware software to double check.

— kim komando, USA TODAY, "5 annoying computer problems you can probably solve yourself," 23 Apr. 2018
Since personal information can also be stolen from computers, the use of anti-virus and anti-spyware software is essential, according to police.

— staff report, Aurora Beacon-News, "Two Aurora seniors scammed out of more than $12,000, police say," 5 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spyware.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.