Spyware for Mobile Devices
Spyware is different from fingerprinting. Fingerprinting identifies a unique device, while spyware tracks specific (and private) information about what a user is doing—sites visited, location, and so on. Spyware comes in many forms. The most prevalent (and annoying) is potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), a form of Adware. Not only do PUAs consume resources, including battery and bandwidth, but these applications also track information, including the user’s web-browsing history, Global Positioning System (GPS) location, and contacts. Many developers fund their work by sharing the data they collect using these unwanted applications with third-party advertisers. PUAs can also change browser settings, opening the ...
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