Posted by NikkiT2 on April 11, 2003, at 9:35:55
In reply to Re: spyware (and ad-blocking for Macs) » NikkiT2, posted by wendy b. on April 11, 2003, at 9:25:59
Basically, spyware is software that downloads itself from the internet, to spy on your internet activity. As a rule most of them are fairly safe in that they just record what websites you visit, and send them back to their originator, so they can track what sites are used regualrly - used for advertising purposes.
BUT, some are worse than that. I had one called "dialler". This overrides your dial up number on your modem (if you use a dial up connection) and dials a $3 a minute line. This would only effect people in the US too as its a US number is tries to dial. Also, it wouldn;t effect people on broadband connections.
Other ones do things such a record your keystrokes to send back to "home".. this means that all your passwords are given away, and your credit card number if you use that online.Gator (the one Jays site tries to load onto your machine) is fairly innoccuous, but in my opinion, as it records data used when filling in forms, it has the potentional to be more of a problem.
OK, so spyware is my current obsession, but it is something to think about.
Just been over to Jays just now.. WOW.. that has ALOT of popups.. within the first 15 seconds of being there, I had about 8 pop ups.. enough to be VERY annoying!!!
Nikki
poster:NikkiT2
thread:218183
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20030404/msgs/218480.html