No Remedy for Spyware

By Matt Hines,
“Spyware is a general term used to describe software programs that are secretly deposited on computers to track Internet usage, launch advertising programs or steal users' personal information. Among the most popular of these programs are adware, keystroke loggers and so-called system monitors.

Despite reductions in the number of computers infected by spyware applications, the troublesome software has created a billion-dollar industry that continues to plague both consumers and businesses, researchers said on Tuesday.

In addition to remaining a major threat to personal and business security, Webroot said, spyware applications--specifically the types that generate pop-up advertisements, hijack home pages, redirect Web searches and use so-called DNS poisoning to steal Web traffic--generate an estimated $2 billion in revenue annually. Based on statistics published by the Internet Advertising Bureau, spyware could represent almost 25 percent of the entire online advertising industry.

The growing number of spyware attacks crafted expressly for making money, rather than for tracking Web use for marketing research or other purposes, is another emerging problem, Webroot said. The report contends that spyware exploits have "crippled" some businesses, particularly financial-services companies, in some cases by stealing customer data. Spyware infection also has slowed the growth of e-commerce by eroding consumer trust in online security.

"We can hope that the advertising industry will provide some help in trying to root out the truly malicious forms of spyware, but as long as there is an attractive return on investment on this activity for some people, this isn't going to stop anytime soon," Moll said.

Webroot said that adware continues to be the most pervasive form of spyware, with more than 50 percent of all business computers, and almost 60 percent of consumer machines, running some form of the programs. Of the devices already infected with the advertising applications, each machine averaged nearly seven different forms of the programs, according to the research.

Spying on the spyware makers
Ben Edelman may be spyware's most dangerous enemy.

The 25-year-old researcher has spent years analyzing how spyware and adware programs work and disclosing his findings publicly. That often results in red faces and, occasionally, lawsuit threats from companies like WhenU and Claria, formerly known as Gator.

When testing spyware and adware, Edelman isn't about to sacrifice his own Windows XP computer. So he uses the VMware utility to create a virtual Windows box.

"I infect the hell out of it," he says. "It destroys the infected machine." http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5694727.html?tag=nl.e589

The security software maker worked previously with Internet service provider EarthLink to generate its spyware statistics, but Webroot representatives said that relationship has ended. No details were available on the reasons for ending the partnership.”

The remedy for spyware…not anytime soon Between the Lines ZDNet.com
Lydia Parnes, director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the Federal Trade Commission, kicked off the CNET Antispyware Workshop saying that in defining spyware “it all depends.” And, a year after the FTC held a spyware workshop, the spyware and adware companies and their anti counterparts are still battling and consumers are caught in the middle. http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=1340&tag=nl.e539

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