Spyware is a type of malicious software. It can result in all of the following effects on a user's device and privacy except which one?

Introduction / Context:
Spyware is a category of malware designed to secretly observe user activity and collect information without consent. It is commonly installed through malicious downloads, infected attachments, or bundled software. Understanding what spyware does helps users recognize its risks and differentiate it from legitimate software. This question asks which listed effect is not a typical consequence of spyware infection.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Spyware is malicious and operates without informed user consent.
• It can monitor user activity, capture keystrokes, or take control of certain device features.
• It usually sends collected information to an attacker or a remote server.
• We are comparing realistic behaviors of spyware against a statement that does not match its purpose.

Concept / Approach:
The main goals of spyware are surveillance and data theft. Typical actions include logging keystrokes, capturing screen contents, monitoring network traffic, and modifying system settings to stay hidden. Spyware might also take partial control of the device, for example by redirecting web traffic or installing additional malware. It does not usually create duplicate files to help users with backups, as that behavior would not support the attacker and could even draw attention. The correct answer is therefore the option that describes a benign or helpful action rather than a harmful one.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1 Review what spyware is intended to do, focusing on spying and data exfiltration. Step 2 Analyze each option and see whether it aligns with surveillance, control, or data theft. Step 3 Recognize that gaining control over device functions, tracking users, and gathering personal information are classic spyware behaviors. Step 4 Identify that saving duplicate files purely to increase backup copies is not a typical malicious behavior, making it the correct exception.

Verification / Alternative check:
Security reports and antivirus vendors describe spyware as software that collects personal information and sometimes allows remote control of the system. Common examples include keyloggers and tracking cookies that monitor browsing habits. None of these tools attempt to create helpful backup copies for the user. Instead, they focus on silently gathering data and often sending it to remote servers, which supports the conclusion that the duplicate files option is incorrect.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Gaining control over a device or some of its settings is a known effect of spyware, especially when it changes browser home pages or redirects search results. Tracking users and monitoring browsing behavior is central to adware and many forms of spyware. Gathering personal information, including credentials, credit card numbers, and personal documents, is a primary goal of attackers. Sending collected data to a remote server is also standard behavior in spyware and exfiltration tools.

Common Pitfalls:
Users often confuse spyware with other types of malware such as viruses or ransomware and may underestimate the damage that passive surveillance can cause. Another pitfall is assuming that only obviously malicious looking software can contain spyware. In reality, it is often bundled with seemingly legitimate downloads. Recognizing the typical behaviors of spyware helps in choosing the correct answer and promotes better security practices.

Final Answer:
Spyware does not normally perform the benign action of Saving duplicate files purely to increase available backup copies, so this is the correct exception.