DVTimes

PCs 'infested' with spy programs

The average computer is packed with hidden software that can secretly spy on online habits, a study has found.
The US net provider EarthLink said it uncovered an average of 28 spyware programs on each PC scanned during the first three months of the year.

Spyware is a broad term for programs that hide on a person's computer without their knowledge.

It has become so pervasive that lawmakers in the US are looking into ways to prevent or regulate it.


Hidden away

The Spy Audit by EarthLink reflects the results of scans involving over one million computers between January and March.

It uncovered more than 29.5 million examples of spyware. These are parasite programs sometimes come attached to software downloaded from the web.

The details are often included in the license agreement small print that most users click through without reading.

But sometimes they do not even need your permission to download, but just bury themselves on a hard drive as you browse the net.

With the exception of pop-up ads or a slower computer, people may not notice anything different when spyware programs are present, say experts.

Insidious software

EarthLink said the most common type of spyware it found was adware. These are programs that display ads on an infected computer and also send data about surfing habits.

But it also found examples of more insidious spyware.

"While most spyware is adware-related and relatively benign, it's disturbing that over 300,000 of the more serious system monitors and Trojans were uncovered," said Matt Cobb of EarthLink.

"This figure represents how real a threat identity theft or system corruption is for users."

System monitors can surreptitiously watch what you do, steal personal information and despatch it across the web, while Trojans can allow malicious hackers to get access to a computer and steal information.

"By tracking and publicising the growth of spyware, we can better educate consumers of its risks and encourage them to take steps to protect themselves and their families while online," said Christine Stevenson of Webroot, which conducted the scans.

People concerned about what might be lurking on their machine can download software such as the popular SpyBot to disinfect their computer.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3633167.stm

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KRL

I cleaned a friends PC that had over 200 spyware progs on it. He was completely clueless that there was even such programs.

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crockett

so they are complaining about spyware while spying on their customers computers?

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In November, you can vote for America's next president or its first dictator.

crockett

I mess with a lot of peoples computers, and the most I've seen sofar was a little over 800 progs on one computer...lol I didn't know there were even than many.. but for a computer that's never been scanned 200 is about normal.

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In November, you can vote for America's next president or its first dictator.

{fusion}

ive got that spybot - search and destroy on my pc, its free but seems to do the job and has updates ect.

if theres a better one though, it would be cool to know.

crockett

try adaware IMO better than spybot.. but dosn't hurt to use both

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In November, you can vote for America's next president or its first dictator.

Vitasoy

These are the same people who fork out their cc on paysites, gotta love em

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MrJackMeHoff

Thats why I use zonealarm. At least if you get one you know it right away when i tries to connect.

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Cyborg 2.0

yeah most of my friends have some weird shit poping up all the time... oh well that what u get for not being computer literate

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AlCapone

I'm starting to think that Spyware removal tools actually install their own spyware, that gets "overlooked" during scans. The more spyware programs I install and/or purchase, the more spyware I find.

It makes complete sense. Remove competition spyware, install own, sell info to the highest bidder, or even back to your competition.

The best way to combat spyware/adware/virus is to just unplug the computer from the wall and go have a martini.

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$5 submissions

Active X marketing (which spyware planting falls under) is fast shaping up as an alternative way to get MILLIONS of hits daily

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dabomb

those statistics don't surprise me at all since hahahahahahaS ITSELL is spyware

AlCapone

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"You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone.”

AlienQ - BANNED FOR LIFE

No US law will not change shit...

People will still make them.

People think US law is the entire world. Sorry its not and this is comming from an American.

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Ash@phpFX

spyware sucks

Ian

Updated my TGP today and while checking around I acquired a Trojan called jbeem something.

Took me an hour between crashes to get rid of it.

Happens every time I check my own TGP.

Makes me wonder why I even bother.



Makes you wonder when you think of Joe Average surfer just trying to catch a couple of "skin" pics before bed?

kowntafit

My computer was so fucked up with that shit I had to format. I tried every fucking spy ware remover and none worked. I even posted a thread on GFY and tried all the recommendations. The removeal programs got rid of heaps of shit every time I ran them but I still kept getting the same bullshit pop up crap.

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