A different type of Spyware called Adware can be
included in a download. You didnt notice it was included in the download
when you read the user agreement since you might have given up on reading
the user agreement after 2000 or 3000 words into it. Thats what they wanted
you to do! Or maybe, shame shame, you didnt even read it!
Webroot recently finished
a survey that concluded the average home computer has 28 pieces of Spyware
on it. I recently stumbled across an admiringly clever piece of Spyware that
recorded both sides of Instant Messaging Programs!
Just the other night I
read that some unsuspecting Stock Investors found their accounts empty one
morning.... they had downloaded a Beta Stock Tweaking Tool that had a
keylogger on it.
Oh, lets not forget the
Website you are at when a 'Pop Up' states you need a 'Plug In' to view
something special there. If you dont have your Java or your Virtual Basic
updates, you could be providing all the information on your computer to a
very interested third party. Pop Ups can be very deceiving. Do you quickly
close out a Pop Up or click the No button? What if the code that runs it is
set up to run no matter what option you pick?
So there you are, a
victim of Spyware. Youve been used! You want revenge! You shout, "If only I
could invent the perfect Anti-Spyware Tool!" Well maybe you shout something
else, I know I have.
Would this perfect
Anti-Spyware Tool tell you when visit a Website that has Spyware? Would it
prevent Spyware from transmitting your information that it has collected?
Would it even prevent Spyware form becoming active? Would it make Coffee
too?
Ah if only it could be.
You have to safeguard
your personal information when you are online.
Its been said by a few
that one way to curb the spread of Spyware is to allow it to collect certain
types on information from you. Information you agree to. In turn, for
collecting this information, you are compensated in some way. There are
Websites and programs out there that do this in some way or form. You accrue
points or whatever that you redeem for cash or a blender or whatever.
Regardless of how its done, it might be a way to reduce the anxiety of
wondering if your personal information is being harvested and even worse,
what they are using it for.
