What is spyware primarily designed to do?

Spyware is primarily designed to locate and save user data without consent. This type of malicious software is stealthily installed on a user’s device to gather personal information such as browsing habits, login credentials, financial data, and other sensitive information. Such unauthorized data collection can occur without the user's knowledge and often leads to privacy violations and identity theft.

In contrast, encrypting data for secure transmission is a function associated with security measures designed to protect information during transfer, not the intent of spyware. Monitoring network traffic for threats is typically a role of cybersecurity tools aimed at detecting malicious activity rather than conducting data collection. Preventing unauthorized access to networks relates to security protocols and firewalls, which are focused on defending against intrusions rather than the covert collection of user information. Therefore, the correct understanding of spyware centers on its deceptive nature and its purpose of collecting data clandestinely.