Spyware makes people wary online

[temi]

Spyware can clog PCs making them slow and unresponsive
Fears over spyware have made more than 90% of American net users change their online behaviour, says a study.
The dangers are making people swap browsers, avoid file-sharing programs and some websites says the Pew Internet and American Life Project research.

full story: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4659145.stm

[Duke]

This doesn't really come as a suprise though. It's an incredible opportunity for anti-virus, spyware and ISP's to all band together and draw these "fraidy cats" out of their holes and make a killing off of it.

I admit that I don't visit as many sites as I used to and have slightly altered my online habits as well in response to being hit by a few virus' in my time, several re-formats, cool web search, bonzai buddy, etc., getting in with other software installs, etc.

Also, people like to customize their desktops so they fall for the renewable wallpaper software that loads you PC with spyware, install software with normal install instead of custom, etc., all of which slow your computer down horribly.

I think that some software vendors are actually contibuting to the problem because they choose to link up with less than legit partner software to infect PC's with spyware.

[Paul_KY]

Let's not confuse 'spyware' with 'adware', as that's what the general Internet public does. They need to start reading the fine print.

Suckers!

[temi]

Adware, spyware, both are undesirable
Temi

[Duke]

I'm not confused, both are troublesome.

[Paul_KY]

Adware is blended with freebies. If you're a freebie seeking freeloader, be sure to read the fine print. Nothing is really 'free'.