Anecdotal Evidence: Spyware reactivates itself

[getvisible]

Spyware lurks online, and an innocent click is all it needs to strike

This is one of the best reports on the topic for its clarity.

The scary bits:

Brabon tried to erase the spyware programs from her computer, but they seemed to resurrect themselves.

All of a sudden there were bookmarks for casinos and adult Web sites all over my computer that we would delete but would come back on their own,” Penders said. “… I have teenage boys and at first I yelled at them. But then we were able to find out they weren't even on the computer

When Penders installed software to fix the problem, she found 850 different pieces of spyware.

The bit that TD need to read:

Part of the problem is defining “spyware.” Internet security firms say its any program that surreptitiously watches Internet behavior for advertising or other reasons — malicious or not — or that can transmit that information back to the Internet. Companies that make such software prefer to call it “adware,” to emphasize the advertising component.

In March, the security software maker McAfee detected more than 14 million pieces of spyware on its customers' computers, up from fewer than 2 million last August.

Spyware has become the No. 1 source of help desk calls to Dell Inc., the largest maker of personal computers.

Spyware is now one of the top problems for AOL customers, prompting AOL to offer its own anti-spyware software for free.

WhenU lists some of the world's largest advertisers as clients: American Express, Bank of America, British Airways, Ford, Microsoft, Priceline.com and Verizon.

What I don't think TD realise is that as they're supporting what we call spyware companies they are allowing them to become more pervasive so software and secutiry companies create stronger defenses against commission based advertising that could seriously harm the industry as a whole. How many people rely on affiliate links for a living? Networks, agencies, merchants and affiliates themselves. If those links were negated by software how many people could loose their jobs? Think about it. Who wants to be know as the company that destroyed affiliate marketing?

[Graham@Buyagift]

Spyware has become the No. 1 source of help desk calls to Dell Inc., the largest maker of personal computers.

I've heard a few people who believe their Dell PCs had Spyware on when they left the factory - I raised this with Dell but they have yet to respond...make of this what you want...

Graham

[FleaPit]

Very true Getvis... by continuing to allow spyware on the networks other organisations like Norton will only work harder to block affiliate advertising links.

[getvisible]

yep its a just a shame that people we have regular contact with such as Nick, Margaux and Claire are excellent people who really do try and help and I have a lot of time for. Its just a shame that the people that keep their distance aren't so intune with our concerns.