Which term describes software that secretly collects user data without consent?

Which term describes software that secretly collects user data without consent?

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

Answer: (C)

Spyware is software designed to monitor and secretly collect information from a user’s device without their knowledge or consent. It runs in the background, often harvesting data such as keystrokes, browsing activity, and even passwords or contact details, and sends that data to an outside party. This makes it the best match for covert data collection. Adware mainly displays advertisements; rogueware pretends to be legitimate security software to scare or extort money; a Trojan hides inside a harmless-looking program to trick the user into running it. In healthcare IT, spyware poses serious privacy and regulatory risks because it can expose protected health information, so robust endpoint protection and user awareness are essential to prevent it.

Spyware is software designed to monitor and secretly collect information from a user’s device without their knowledge or consent. It runs in the background, often harvesting data such as keystrokes, browsing activity, and even passwords or contact details, and sends that data to an outside party. This makes it the best match for covert data collection. Adware mainly displays advertisements; rogueware pretends to be legitimate security software to scare or extort money; a Trojan hides inside a harmless-looking program to trick the user into running it. In healthcare IT, spyware poses serious privacy and regulatory risks because it can expose protected health information, so robust endpoint protection and user awareness are essential to prevent it.