Spyware, Adware and Identity Theft

How big a problem is spyware? According to Aladdin software "15% of spyware threats send private information gathered from the end user currently logged on to the infected system: logging the user's keystrokes, logged-on user name, hash of administrator passwords, email addresses, contacts, instant messengers login and usage, and more."

Spyware is the general term for a type of software that monitors the user's computer activity and user information and gathers this information via the internet without the user's knowledge. The information is most often used for advertising purposes but can be used for more sinister purposes such as stealing passwords, user names, pin numbers and other sensitive data stored on your PC. Some spyware applications actually have legitimate uses, such as monitoring software installed on computers in a workplace to monitor computer usage - however for all intents and purposes when people mention spyware they are generally referring to unwanted programs running on their personal computer in the background.

Making the distinction between adware and spyware is somewhat difficult, as the actual software itself is almost identical, however the main distinction between the two is that normally adware is installed with permission when downloading a freeware or spyware application. To further blur the distinction however, many would argue that due to the fact permission for downloading the adware is generally buried amongst pages of terms and conditions for the free software, that most users simply agree to them without reading small print. Increasingly often they are bundled into free applications most often used by children such as ringtones, winks etc ( in fact a recent study by the NCSA found that 69% of computers in homes with children under age 18 had spyware/adware installed) - that most adware is often downloaded without user knowledge just like spyware! For the purposes of this articles lets refer to both spyware and adware as "malware".

What does malware it do to your PC?
The symptom most often reported is sluggishness to the computer performance, perhaps taking a long time to boot up or slow page loads when surfing the Net even with broadband. This can often be accompanied by the PC freezing up or hanging. New Toolbars, links, menus, icons and shortcuts, favorites, programs installed, buttons or a different home page when browsing are also commonly reported. Another annoying trait is increase in pop-ups, not the normal pop ups - which are annoying enough - when browsing but system pop ups occuring whenever connected to the net advising you of problems issues with system and leading you to unsafe websites. These are all typical problems users complain of when their computers are infected with malware, but the most serious problems are when a third party manages to gather information enabling them to steal your identity. Imagine the consequences of the user name and password for your online banking or paypal account was gathered by malware! Its no coincidence that for the seventh consecutive year, identity theft topped the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's annual report on consumer fraud complaints in 2006.

Incredibly, bearing the above information in mind, 81% of home computers still lack protection (i.e. anti-virus software, firewall and spyware detection and removal software) - even though protection from malware is available completely free. Both MSN and Google offer software to protect from malware that is free to download and very effective. If you have not already done so - protect your computer and your identity today!