Wednesday, March 31, 2004
The Evils of Spyware
Spyware is an internet term that not many people are familiar with. If you are a college student you are far more likely to know what spyware is than the average computer user. I say this because college campuses are very susceptible to internet threats, such as spyware and viruses. But even a lot of college students have little to no knowledge of spyware.
I learned about spyware at least a couple years before coming to Georgia Tech, but this is only because I had a couple of computer geek friends who told me about it. When my two friends told me what spyware was, I was initially not very concerned. I had never had troubles with the internet so I didn’t see why I needed to worry about this spyware thing. But when I learned what spyware could be used for I began to get alarmed. Some types of spyware are relatively harmless, for example, the spyware that sends you banner ads. This type of spyware still bothers me, though. It’s an invasion of my privacy, and it’s annoying that they can get away with this. Other types of spyware are more harmful. On the front page of the Lavasoft (The Company that made Ad-Aware, a program that finds and deletes spyware from your computer) website is a short introduction to spyware. One paragraph states that spyware
can track your surfing habits, abuse your Internet connection by sending this data to a third party, profile your shopping preferences, hijack your browser start page or pages, alter important system files, and can do this without your knowledge or permission.
These more malicious types of spyware are not nearly as common, but they still exist. For example, many versions of the popular file-sharing program KazaA install spyware/adware in addition to the actual program. The spyware used in KazaA causes pop-ups and pop-unders (Similar to pop-ups except that they open behind the browser window that a user is currently viewing instead of in front) to open when you surf the internet or just use the program. I am of the opinion that pop-ups and pop-unders are two of the most agitating types of internet advertising. In fact I’d put them right up there with spam.
Spyware and adware are very irritating and an invasion of internet users’ privacy. But, I doubt that spyware will ever be eliminated, even if it is outlawed. So if you feel the same way that I feel about spyware, then I recommend downloading and running Ad-Aware on your computer if you do not already have it. It is probably the best program for eliminating spyware and it is free unless you want the pro version, which isn’t much different except for a few added features.
I learned about spyware at least a couple years before coming to Georgia Tech, but this is only because I had a couple of computer geek friends who told me about it. When my two friends told me what spyware was, I was initially not very concerned. I had never had troubles with the internet so I didn’t see why I needed to worry about this spyware thing. But when I learned what spyware could be used for I began to get alarmed. Some types of spyware are relatively harmless, for example, the spyware that sends you banner ads. This type of spyware still bothers me, though. It’s an invasion of my privacy, and it’s annoying that they can get away with this. Other types of spyware are more harmful. On the front page of the Lavasoft (The Company that made Ad-Aware, a program that finds and deletes spyware from your computer) website is a short introduction to spyware. One paragraph states that spyware
can track your surfing habits, abuse your Internet connection by sending this data to a third party, profile your shopping preferences, hijack your browser start page or pages, alter important system files, and can do this without your knowledge or permission.
These more malicious types of spyware are not nearly as common, but they still exist. For example, many versions of the popular file-sharing program KazaA install spyware/adware in addition to the actual program. The spyware used in KazaA causes pop-ups and pop-unders (Similar to pop-ups except that they open behind the browser window that a user is currently viewing instead of in front) to open when you surf the internet or just use the program. I am of the opinion that pop-ups and pop-unders are two of the most agitating types of internet advertising. In fact I’d put them right up there with spam.
Spyware and adware are very irritating and an invasion of internet users’ privacy. But, I doubt that spyware will ever be eliminated, even if it is outlawed. So if you feel the same way that I feel about spyware, then I recommend downloading and running Ad-Aware on your computer if you do not already have it. It is probably the best program for eliminating spyware and it is free unless you want the pro version, which isn’t much different except for a few added features.
Saturday, March 27, 2004
More from the Land of Spyware
I, like David, never have really considered the degree of privacy of using the Internet. I did not even know what Spyware or Ad-aware really were until I came to college last semester. I, unlike David, received a virus at the beginning of this semester though, which led me to download Stinger anti-virus software. I also just recently also downloaded Ad-aware, which has to date found 166 cookies in my computer.
Personally, I find it somewhat daunting that companies, the government, or whomever is putting these tracking devices on my machine. Where I surf on the internet is my personal business, and in fact it annoys me even more that companies are using this is conjunction with pop-ups to market their products. The entire situation gives me sort of a creepy "Big Brother" feeling. There is an article written on this particular subject on Salon.com. The article discusses that the government is attempting to pass a bill regulating Spyware, yet in the same instance is leaving personal computers more at risk for attack. Instead of protecting the individual's privacy, they are creating more gaping holes through which companies can enter.
Like David, I do not have enough information to make a really detailed analysis of Spyware and cookies. Based on the information I do have though, I do not support the use of Spyware, given the fact that it is basically a window into our lives. I think that nothing good can come of it, other than boosting a company's stock a point or two.
Personally, I find it somewhat daunting that companies, the government, or whomever is putting these tracking devices on my machine. Where I surf on the internet is my personal business, and in fact it annoys me even more that companies are using this is conjunction with pop-ups to market their products. The entire situation gives me sort of a creepy "Big Brother" feeling. There is an article written on this particular subject on Salon.com. The article discusses that the government is attempting to pass a bill regulating Spyware, yet in the same instance is leaving personal computers more at risk for attack. Instead of protecting the individual's privacy, they are creating more gaping holes through which companies can enter.
Like David, I do not have enough information to make a really detailed analysis of Spyware and cookies. Based on the information I do have though, I do not support the use of Spyware, given the fact that it is basically a window into our lives. I think that nothing good can come of it, other than boosting a company's stock a point or two.
Friday, March 19, 2004
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Welcome to our blog!
-Bobby, Kelly, David, Andrew, and Freddy
