Nearly one million American consumers bought a new computer last year, because their previous one had spyware on it, and they weren’t able to get rid of the infection. This in spite of the fact that the number of spyware infections were less. In 2005 some 16% had spyware on their machines, now that number stands at 9%. In 2005 the damage done by spyware was estimated at 3.5 billion dollars, last year this amounts to 1.7 billion dollars.
While some spyware became less irritating, and often comes bundled with various software, the number of irritating pop-ups, slow running and crashing systems went down, but the spyware threat is far from over. As experts say spyware is evolving. And the same goes for anti-spyware software. 75% to 80% of the malicious code is now being detected, while virusscanners score 90% or even more. Like malware the newer generation of spyware is harder to detect and gets more under the radar. “Spyware is dealt out in a Trojan-like manner now, and through manners that malware in general uses”.
Funny that none of the victims thought of reformatting their hard drives before buying a new computer. It demonstrates that a lot of that million computer users were rather computer illiterates, and that malware fighters still have a mission, that is for sure, see this link: http://www.gcn.com/online/vol1_no1/45763-1.html & http://www.mcafee.com/us/local_content/white_papers/threat_center/wp_spyware_morphing_campaign.pdf
Hi Damien,
Unfortunately we already know that most of these people will
infect their new computer in a very short time.
Purchasing a new computer doesn’t solve the problem if you don’t change your browsing habits
and increase your computers security arsenal.
It takes both to keep you safe.
Totally correct Bob, they are just treating the symptom not the disease. If they don’t change their habits or how they protect their system then it won’t be long before they are reinfected.
One of the reasons I like CFS (Completely Free Software) is that the reviews clearly indicate if adware is (or seems to be) included in a download and whether or not it can be disabled without hurting the “parent” app.
hi,
I am agree with bob .
Just buying the new machine would not resolve the problem .One must increase the security and must change the browsing habit or new machine would have fear to get infected.
I can’t say I’m surprised in the least. Like someone said in another thread, only what? 20% of users or so have their machines completely up to date? I’ve found most people are clueless when it comes to computers–don’t get me wrong, I’m not an expert by any stretch. But I know enough to not aimlessly wander around the net and/or download random programs and scan the stuff I do DL, to keep my AV updated as well as XP, Spybot, and any other programs I use regularly, and do a sweep at least once or twice a week. I have/ had very few problems with my machine but I take care of it. The few problems I have had were due to mechanical failure/defective parts, not any kind of malware.
And what most people don’t realise is spyware can be killed. Just because your machine’s infected is no reason to ditch it and get another. It may take some time, but why spend $2K on a new machine when you don’t have to?
Then again, most people wouldn’t have heart disease if they’d just get their asses off the couch, walk around a bit, quit smoking, and not eat so much junk. Do people do this? No. It all goes back to the ‘it can’t happen to me’ syndrome. sigh :-\
Hahaha, this is so funny… main problem is not spyware, it is that people are not educated when it comes to using computers… not at all. It would be a lot easier and a lot cheaper if they simply reformatted their HDs and installed everything from the scratch. Next time they are infected with spyware and whatnot, at least they didn’t spend all that money buying new computers. I am sure when that happens again, they will cry like babies… “…brand new computer and it is broken! It’s full of spyware… I have to return it to the store…”
I have a friend, actually a neighbor of mine. Few days ago, he called me to tell me that he finally switched to Apple. When I asked him what made him do this, he shortly said: “…oh I got so pissed off at all spyware and adware I wasn’t able to remove from my PC…”
That tells you everything… thinking like that, people like him will do nothing to protect themselves, they will always try to find some shortcut, in this case buying another type of computer foolishly believing that all their problems are gone. People like him will help spreading spyware/adware on Mac computers too, that’s for sure.
There wouldn’t be a spyware problem if people in forums like this one would make Spyware Terminator known. It’s free & does an excellent job. Windows Defender is also free, but it’s detections aren’t as good as ST & only works on XP and Vista.
Just recently I recommended ST to a member of avast! forums seeking help. Two members who are much better help than me, one disputed my recommendation & the other ignored my recommendation of ST while affirming my other suggestions. ???
There are some excellent real-time antispyware programs that you have to pay for, but many won’t use them because they don’t want to pay. With ST there is no excuse. Also ST is light on resources, if my Dell can run it with ease, then any computer can. :
Frank,
When you only said that ST is an option while affirming my other suggestings, it was like ignoring ST.
My whole idea is promoting real-time antispyware to keep spyware off. As Polonus said, these people returning their computers know they have spyware. The trouble is they don’t know how to get it off & keep it off. Programs like SAS Free will remove it, but won’t keep it off.
Nearly one million American consumers bought a new computer last year, because their previous one had spyware on it, and they weren't able to get rid of the infection.
We need to educate “…(the one) million computer users were rather computer illiterates”, “and that malware fighters still have a mission, that is for sure”.
When we do the above, we won’t be so busy in avast! forums. ;D
My recommendations (ST, WinPatrol & Opera) are real-time. Opera is real-time as it is being secure all the time we’re surfing with it. WinPatrol monitors & blocks in real-time like SpywareBlaster.
We need to educate "...(the one) million computer users were rather computer illiterates", "and that malware fighters still have a mission, that is for sure".
Remember, being computer savvy isn't a prerequisite for purchasing a new computer.
It only takes money and a lot of times the intelligence is lacking..... ;D
As I work part time for an Internet provider I get all kinds of phone calls. Most of the ones that have problems with spyware etc don’t have a clue as to even what spyware, (Malware) is. It’s really sad when I see that most of these folks that call are only interested in getting on line and usually don’t care about taking and getting proper protection for their machines.
Not surprised. I mean, where has commonsense gone to?
Although I did learn some programing in the early 70s while in college. Did not started using computers in 1996 for browsing and historical research (living history re enactor) It is through helping admin an official PC game website and forums for eight years, that I learn most of my computer knowledge, though. Have to, to keep up on what is going on with computer games and CPUs in general. Including learning about spyware, malware, worms and all the other narsties that have since invaded our space since those early Internet days.
In my forums, and in others, I see questions from gamers who haven’t a clue why their computers are running badly. Or get an error message. The first thing any moderator asks is “Have you scanned for any spy/malware?” and/or "Have you scanned for viruses? with a return reply of “No, I haven’t”. Then next …“Yes, I found some, cleaned them out and now the game works!”
But saying this, it has been my innate habit that IF I have a problem or question about anything, I will hunt sources down until an answer is found. With computers, it is knowing where to go and what to do to fix the problem. I am not a complete “geek” so it is also knowing your limitations…and would rather ask or take my computer to a tech rather than screw something up.
Computers for me are not just “throwaway” things…they are big investments. I cannot just "chuck " one out the window because it doesn’t work “right”.
WinPatrol monitors & blocks in real-time like SpywareBlaster. 