“Spyware” Definitions May Help Limit Access, Identity Theft
One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. The same thought process has applied to those who create or hate “spyware”. At first glance, those cute little toolbars that give you the ability to dress-up your email, “block” pop-up ads, download free screen-savers are just fun, interactive pieces of software.
On the other hand, those same software “tools” can also be parasitic programs that clog up your hard drive, identify you and/or your ISP to others, and allow hackers access to your computer. The overriding problem in designing a way to prevent information and identity theft from “spyware” is finding a way to clearly define it.
“One of the biggest challenges we’ve had with spyware has been agreeing on what it is, ” said Ari Schwartz, associate director for the Center for Democracy and Technology. “The anti-spyware community needs a way to quickly and decisively categorize the new programs spawning at exponetial rates across the internet.”
Some “spyware” innocently disguised as “adware” has the ability to track users and capture passwords and credit card numbers. This leads to identity theft! The lack of clear definitions of spyware and adware make it difficult for protective federal and state legislation to be established.
Ben Edelman, the country’s foremost spyware researcher, said, in relation to defining spyware, “from the perspective of users whose computers are infected, there is nothing hard about (defining spyware). If you have adware or spyware on your computer, you want it gone.”
Once again, consumers unaware of the risks of “free” downloads and software are the most likely to be victims of identity theft. Since the use of personal computers is an integral part of daily life and an abundance of information we hold dear is on them, everyone should be vigilant about inadvertantly allowing access of any kind to theirs.
The best “rule of thumb” about unnecessary and/or unwanted programs on your computer is the same one you use for the old stuff in your refrigerator. “When in doubt, throw it out” if it’s in the fridge. If it’s on your computer, hit DELETE.
For a complete overview of the Anti-Spyware Coalition Definitions and Supporting Documents, click on the following link: http://www.antispywarecoalition.org/definitions.pdf