by Britten Follett -November
20, 2003
For just under a 100 bucks, someone could be watching your computer's
every move. It's called spyware, powerful programs that can monitor
exactly what someone is doing on the internet.
"Just think of spyware as [someone] looking over your shoulder.
Anything you write on a pad they can see," says Calvin Schafer
with Papa Chips.
Spyware is typically used by parents who are monitoring their
children's internet use and by employers to make sure employees
aren't idling time away online.
And those using the computer won't have any way to tell they're
being watched. "You would have no idea at all," says
Schafer.
Eblaster is a type of spyware that automatically records emails,
instant messages, and even everything someone types. That information
is sent to your email address every 60 minutes.
And once spyware is on your computer system - it's nearly impossible
to remove. "All together it's really hard. The best way of
course is to have a firewall put on some sort of pop-up stopper
and don't go to some places you know have spyware," adds
Schafer.
So it's user beware- it is possible someone could be watching.
The laws about whether spyware is legal aren't black and white.
There's a new bill in Congress to protect consumers from being
hit with spyware without them knowing about it. But Attorney Ryan
Holmes, an associate with the Law Offices of Rene Hernandez, says
each case is different and it depends on the type of spyware and
how its used.
Eblaster, the spyware software we mentioned earlier, has a privacy
clause that says you can't install the software on someone's computer
unless you are the owner or you have permission from the owner.
|
