One fine day, you wake up to find a random application on your laptop or mobile device. Calling it a mundane affair, you do not pay it much attention. However, as days go by, you find subtle dispensaries causing trouble to your processor.

Applications are quite slow; you are losing batteries too often, and the overall functionality of the device is poor. These are common symptoms of spyware. Undetected spyware applications can infiltrate your device and make it slow. In reality, it is malware that is slowly gathering information from your phone. These can include the credit cards you have registered on different ecommerce platforms, your social media data, your chats over social media, and even, in some cases, scanning through your gallery.

If you are finding it difficult to detect this spyware and the crippling fear of your data being stolen is plaguing you, then you should be aware of anti-spyware software.

What Are Anti-Spyware Softwares?

Anti-spyware software, upon installation, will scan the device and scout all the applications. Through this, they will detect the ones with potential spyware functioning and immediately urge you to delete them.

These detections are based on two things:

• Rule-based detection is based on the anti-spyware application which you are installing.
• Files that are currently detected under spyware programs around the internet. After numerous customer complaints, every anti-spyware software has a few programs that they deem as spreading spyware through different devices.

Having anti-spyware will not only allow you to detect and uninstall current spyware programs but also ward off any other spyware installation in the future.

Myths About Free Anti-Spyware Software

If you are planning to install a free anti-spyware program, here are some of the myths that you should be aware of.

1. Myth 1 – Free Means The Software Is Ineffective In Nature

Whenever you are paying a premium for any anti-virus or anti-spyware programming, remember these are extra value-added add-ons you are paying for. Other than that, many anti-spyware companies provide effective utility of detection and uninstallation even for free. There are many antivirus programs out there that offer free spyware scanning in their package.

2. Myth 2: These Free Spyware Programs Offer No Updates

Many believe that free spyware might work well. However, the company won’t provide any updates unless you pay a premium. Every reputed free anti-spyware company will provide every updated version of their application when it is out. That’s how they retain customers towards their service. Yes, the premium might give you a faster update, but there isn’t anything more than that.

3. Myth 3: Free Anti-Spyware Has Advertisements (Too Many)

Yes, when you are not paying for a premium version, anti-spyware software might rely on advertisements for their side of revenue. However, it is not the same as bloatware and excessive advertising, to the point that it loses its functionality of being ‘anti spyware.’ Some reputable free anti-spyware have to retain their customer base as well without a train of bad reviews. This is why they will only show advertisements that are right to program and won’t accept random advertisements just for the purpose of revenue generation.

4. Myth 4: Free Means No Privacy

This is probably the biggest myth that most antispyware that offers free services deal with. For some reason, probably due to bad experiences with other free software (not antivirus-related), the public has this notion that free software is compromising user privacy. Reputed anti-spyware programming will have privacy as their first priority, even if the service is free of cost. Without user’s privacy intact, it would be quite difficult for them to hold their name in the anti-virus community if an array of customers start complaining about privacy breaches. 

5. Myth 5: Free Anti-Spyware Slows Your Computer Down

These software are made for high-quality user experience. Without providing the right user experience in the free version, reputed companies cannot propose their existing users buy their premium version. So, do not worry. You will not be facing any slowing down of your processor or perfect internet speed upon installing this software. Yes, some speed damage might occur during scanning for spyware, but that is because of the weight this one task is putting on your processor. It is better to refrain from any other activity when your device is going through spyware processing.

Signs Your Device Needs A Spyware Program

These are some of the telltale signs of spyware threat in your device and why you shouldn’t wait to install the software.

Sluggish Performance: If your device suddenly becomes slow or unresponsive, it could indicate spyware consuming resources.

Excessive Data Usage: Unexplained spikes in data usage might signal background spyware activities.

Battery Drain: Spyware can run processes in the background, leading to quicker battery depletion.

Unusual Behavior: Apps crashing, settings changing without your input, or unexpected pop-ups suggest potential spyware.

Overheating: Spyware processes can strain your device, causing it to heat up excessively.

Suspicious Texts/Emails: Unexpected messages containing links or attachments might be spyware attempts.