Released just a day prior to Representative Mary Bono's (R-CA) public hearing before a congressional subcommittee (regarding, of course, spyware) CDT released a thorough report on the subject - Ghosts in Our Machines: Background and Policy Proposals on the Spyware Problem.
Spyware, a loosely defined term, is essentially software that aids any unauthorized party in obtaining private
information from one's computer without his or her knowledge. The term can apply to anything and everything from key
stroke loggers, web cookies,
"Computer users are increasingly finding programs on their computers that they did not know were installed and that
they cannot uninstall," said CDT associate director Ari Schwartz. Subsequently, this causes privacy and security
holes that can hinder the performance of computers. Software companies, in turn, mistakingly take the blame. They are
taking the calls relating to slow connection or e-mail interference, said Schwartz. And it's costing them money.
Okay, so CDT criticizes spyware and other downloadable adware programs. It wants a solution to its top issue. But
isn't that what Bono and several other key legislators want? Not necessarily.
What CDT wants is not some direct, pin-pointed piece of legislation aimed at ceasing spyware, but rather basic
privacy standards to which all programs should be held. It feels, according to Schwartz, that "more thought needs to
be given to spyware as a problem of trespass in addition to as a privacy issue."
Defining the term "spyware" is a tricky task, one that Bono and her allies seem to be forgetting. Under the
legislative definition of spyware, restrictions would encompass an array of programs - most cookies, even ones that
are temporarily stored in browsers, virus protection software, and even software that keeps tabs on children's
computer use.
Because of this, CDT thinks that customers will be better served by privacy legislation - legislation that forces
software programs to give computer users notice if they are collecting any type of information and, more importantly,
give users the ability to easily turn off or uninstall the program.
CDT associate director Alan Davidson stated, "The question is do people know how their computer is being used, and
do they have a meaningful choice to uninstall a program if they don't want it. In the most troubling cases of spyware,
the answer is still no." Davidson also wants adware providers to offer clear instructions regarding contact
information so that users can call them, not the software companies, concerning complaints.
For the spyware makers who are truly, in current terms, legal,
there is still hope for survival. Pest Patrol,
Aluria Software, and Lavasoft -
antihacking programmers - have formed the Consortium of Antispyware Technology
(COAST) to increase consumer awareness and one day create a code of conduct for adware. Roger Thompson, vice president
of product and development at Pest Patrol, reported that in this year alone his company received 60,000 incidents of
spyware abuse. COAST offers great opportunities for those spyware companies that truly want to comply to standards so
that they don't go down with the "dangerous spyware" label.
Having kicked off a campaign to gather spyware horror stories, CDT suggests that, for now, computer users should do
several things in order to deal with invasive applications:
1. Run a spyware detection and removal utility on your computer
Although the efforts of Bono, Senator John Edwards, and various others are applaudable, legislation alone cannot
address all of the concerns raised by spyware. It is the industry itself, believes CDT, that can regulate illegal
activity. The current definition of spyware is rather fuzzy and slippery, therefore making it difficult to draft
legislation. Looks like 007 has a little competition.
About The Author
A high profile eMarketing firm specializing in Organic SEO, Search Engine Marketing, contextual targeted online
advertising and profitable results.
Review our Marketing Services. Read our
eMarketing News
2. Be wary of installing free, ad-supported applications
3. Read up on new software and read all licensing agreements before installing
4. Check for and read privacy policies posted on company websites
5. Do not accept downloads from pop-up windows or from unknown websites
Article by WebAdvantage.net - Internet Marketing Gurus.