What is grayware and is it dangerous?

As our reliance on technology increases, cybercriminals continue to increasingly exploit the unwitting through their devices.This can be achieved in a number of ways, with malware being a key method.But there are many subsets of malware, including grayware.So, what is grayware, what does it look like, and is it dangerous?

What is grayware?

As the name suggests, grayware programs sit between harmful and harmless software.While malware is specifically designed to cause damage to a device, this can be the case with grayware, but not always.

Grayware can cover a lot of software; from completely benign to relatively dangerous, depending on what it can do.However, it's important to keep in mind that grayware programs are generally not as harmful as malware programs (although they can be classified as malware if their effects are harmful enough).

Unlike malware, grayware can also be completely legitimate in some cases, but its ability to disrupt device operation and cause functional problems is what makes it more suspicious than normal software.

Types of Grayware

Here, you might be a little confused, because grayware can span such a wide range that it's hard to understand what it really means.So let's discuss some examples of grayware to better understand how it works and whether it has the potential to do a lot of damage.

1. Spyware

Spyware is commonly used software that allows malicious people to spy on unsuspecting individuals or groups.Spyware is designed to track a person's activities and retrieve private information without their consent.This private information is then either directly exploited by spyware-infected cybercriminals, or sold to other cybercriminals on illicit marketplaces (often on the dark web).

Spyware is usually installed through an application and can hide as something else.While it may cause damage to an individual's security or privacy, it usually does not harm the victim's device in any way.That's why it's considered a kind of grayware.

2. Adware

Adware is another example of grayware that uses aggressive and frequent pop-ups on your device.Of course, the goal here is to advertise, hopefully successfully promoting a company or service.These ads tend to have a distinctly dark side.For example, if adware is installed on your device, you may see a lot of get-rich-quick schemes.

But adware can also use your IP address and browser activity to tailor ads to your preferences.Targeted advertising is often used online, but this rarely involves installing malware on a person's device.

Adware is often installed without your knowledge when you download software from the Internet using illegal websites.Therefore, be wary of what you install on your device as it may bring in adware.

3. Mobile Adware

Madware (or mobile adware) is another type of grayware targeting smartphones and tablets.Like typical adware, it uses ads to profit from victims and is most prevalent on smartphones and tablets that use Android as the operating system.You can still fall victim to crazy software when using an iOS device, but this is usually less likely due to the way the software is designed.

If you see any random pop-up ads on your smartphone, it is likely that a mobile adware program is installed on your device.It's always important to only download legitimate, thoroughly vetted apps to avoid this from happening.

Grayware isn't always harmful, but it can pose risks

While grayware doesn't always negatively affect you or your device, it certainly has the ability.Certain grayware programs can invade your privacy, steal private data, and use your Internet activity to sell you products or services.Be vigilant about the software you install on your device and always make sure it's from a trusted website or vendor.