Which class of software is primarily designed to covertly monitor user activity and relay data to third parties?

Which class of software is primarily designed to covertly monitor user activity and relay data to third parties?

• A. Rogueware
• B. Adware
• C. Spyware
• D. Trojan

Answer: (C)

Spyware is designed to secretly observe what a user does on a device and send that information to an external party without consent. It can capture keystrokes, screenshots, browsing history, and other personal data, creating privacy and security risks through covert data exfiltration. This focus on hidden surveillance and data relay to third parties makes spyware the best fit for the description. By contrast, adware mainly displays ads (sometimes collecting data but not primarily for covert transmission), rogueware mimics legitimate software to scare or defraud, and a Trojan hides malicious code inside something that looks legitimate but isn’t centered on ongoing surveillance and data relay.

Spyware is designed to secretly observe what a user does on a device and send that information to an external party without consent. It can capture keystrokes, screenshots, browsing history, and other personal data, creating privacy and security risks through covert data exfiltration. This focus on hidden surveillance and data relay to third parties makes spyware the best fit for the description. By contrast, adware mainly displays ads (sometimes collecting data but not primarily for covert transmission), rogueware mimics legitimate software to scare or defraud, and a Trojan hides malicious code inside something that looks legitimate but isn’t centered on ongoing surveillance and data relay.