: 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
Kenneth Baldauf and Ralph StairSmartphones 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
Dan GoodinExamples of spyware in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The findings arrive as many security and privacy experts have called out Recall as a creepy spyware threat.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 4 June 2024
Long took on the persona of a Mac guy, humorously mocking the PC guy (actor John Hodgman) for picking up viruses and spyware, or not having access to creative tools and being too focused on boring work stuff.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 3 June 2024
The case involves the death of an 83-year-old priest, a computer hacking trail that leads back to local police and the Indian government’s use of the controversial Pegasus spyware.
—NPR, 3 June 2024
In the past, spyware was delivered via phishing, requiring the victim to click on a link or download an image.
—Kate O'Flaherty, WIRED, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for spyware 
Michael Kan, PCMAG, 4 June 2024
Long took on the persona of a Mac guy, humorously mocking the PC guy (actor John Hodgman) for picking up viruses and spyware, or not having access to creative tools and being too focused on boring work stuff.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 3 June 2024
The case involves the death of an 83-year-old priest, a computer hacking trail that leads back to local police and the Indian government’s use of the controversial Pegasus spyware.
—NPR, 3 June 2024
In the past, spyware was delivered via phishing, requiring the victim to click on a link or download an image.
—Kate O'Flaherty, WIRED, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for spyware
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spyware.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Spyware.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spyware. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
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