Can there be spyware on your tablet?

Long story short: Yes, tablet spyware does exist. It can ruin your online experience at best, while compromising your sensitive information at worst. Fortunately, there are ways to stay vigilant and protected. Learn how you can protect yourself from tablet spyware and remove it from your device.

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How does spyware work?

Spyware is focused on monitoring different types of information. In a digital age where we conduct so many transactions online, spyware can act as a third party between you and the institution you’re dealing with. It can record what you type, how you log into various websites, and even turn on your camera and audio recording to invade your privacy. This stolen information is not only illegal but can also be used against you as ransomware (to hold your data hostage until you pay) or as blackmail (such as from a bad actor).

Common forms of spyware can include:

• Keyloggers: By recording everything you enter on a keyboard or accessory, keyloggers can record your login and password information on any site you visit, thereby gaining access to credit card information.
• Password stealers: A specific form of keylogging, this will activate when you reach a login page and record your sensitive information for a variety of accounts.
• Trojans: A form of malware that exists posing as a legitimate app, usually for a banking or financial account, and will redirect transactions to shady accounts.
• Sound and video recording: Nefarious forms of software can secretly activate the recording aspects of your tablet and track your calls, turn on your camera without warning, and log your apps.
• Mobile tracking: This software can follow your device’s GPS signals and track your geographical location in real-time.

How does spyware get onto your tablet?

The most common way that spyware gets onto your tablet or mobile device is through phishing attacks. These can happen via email or social media, where cybercriminals will pose as official accounts try to trick users into sharing personal information or clicking on a malicious link. For example, you may be asked to click a link and login to verify your account, but it’s not the real site, and your information goes to another server.

How to delete spyware from your tablet and stay protected

The first step is to stay vigilant about anything that you download to your tablet. From there, you can take the following steps:

• Uninstall any suspicious apps from your device. Do you remember downloading any specific apps, or are there apps that never seem to work right? View these with suspicion and delete them and any data they may have stored.
• Run a malware scan using reputable anti-malware software. Built-in antivirus and spyware software in Windows Defender can help you sniff out malware. In addition, extensions from trusted cybersecurity companies are available for download and installation on Edge Add-Ons.
• Reset your device to its factory settings. This will clear your hard drive and revert your device to brand-new specifications. Be sure to back up your data before you do so. Learn how to do a hard factory reset on your Surface device and start over with a clean slate.
• Change your passwords for any compromised accounts. Microsoft Edge features built-in password tools that can alert you if your passwords have been part of data breaches. For example, Password Monitor weighs your password against databases of leaked passwords from data breaches, which happen with increasing frequency and can disrupt the operations of millions of users. And Microsoft Edge’s built-in Password Generator will automatically create a new password for any login you come across: one that‘s both secure and difficult to guess, while meeting the requirements of the website you’re logging into.

You have a lot of information that’s stored online, perhaps more than you might expect. That’s why these privacy and safety tips will come in handy. Learn how to protect your data online, know what a DDoS attack is, and keep your children and family up-to-date on online security.