: 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
These spyware attacks can cost millions of dollars to develop.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
Predator and other major spyware programs boast capabilities such as secretly turning on the user’s microphone and camera, downloading their files without their knowledge and tracking their location.
—Kevin Collier, NBC News, 5 Mar. 2024
The infamous spyware developer NSO Group, creator of the Pegasus spyware, has been quietly planning a comeback, which involves investing millions of dollars lobbying in Washington while exploiting the Israel-Hamas war to stoke global security fears and position its products as a necessity.
—Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 27 Jan. 2024
Exploit gets root privileges and proceeds to execute other stages responsible for loading of spyware.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2023
Phone of Indian activist jailed on terrorism charges was infected with Pegasus spyware, new analysis finds
The Indian government has never confirmed or denied its use of Pegasus; its developer, the Israeli firm NSO Group, has said the spyware is sold exclusively to government agencies.
—Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 31 Oct. 2023
The lawsuit alleges that NSO’s spyware, known as Pegasus, and other malware have caused Apple monetary and property damages, and violated the human rights of Apple users along the way.
January 3, 2022 – Apple becomes the world’s first company valued at $3 trillion.
—Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024
Meta’s WhatsApp has scored a major legal victory against the Israeli spyware vendor NSO Group.
—Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024
Even if high-profile firms like NSO Group were put out of business—admittedly an unlikely outcome—this would still not shut down the spyware market.
—Vas Panagiotopoulos, WIRED, 24 Jan. 2024
Michael Kan, PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
Predator and other major spyware programs boast capabilities such as secretly turning on the user’s microphone and camera, downloading their files without their knowledge and tracking their location.
—Kevin Collier, NBC News, 5 Mar. 2024
The infamous spyware developer NSO Group, creator of the Pegasus spyware, has been quietly planning a comeback, which involves investing millions of dollars lobbying in Washington while exploiting the Israel-Hamas war to stoke global security fears and position its products as a necessity.
—Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 27 Jan. 2024
Exploit gets root privileges and proceeds to execute other stages responsible for loading of spyware.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2023
Phone of Indian activist jailed on terrorism charges was infected with Pegasus spyware, new analysis finds
The Indian government has never confirmed or denied its use of Pegasus; its developer, the Israeli firm NSO Group, has said the spyware is sold exclusively to government agencies.
—Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 31 Oct. 2023
The lawsuit alleges that NSO’s spyware, known as Pegasus, and other malware have caused Apple monetary and property damages, and violated the human rights of Apple users along the way.
January 3, 2022 – Apple becomes the world’s first company valued at $3 trillion.
—Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024
Meta’s WhatsApp has scored a major legal victory against the Israeli spyware vendor NSO Group.
—Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024
Even if high-profile firms like NSO Group were put out of business—admittedly an unlikely outcome—this would still not shut down the spyware market.
—Vas Panagiotopoulos, WIRED, 24 Jan. 2024
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 25 Apr. 2024.
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