Comment Re:That's likely and understatement (Score 3, Informative) 400
I have always thought of spyware as a virus. Perhaps not as destructive but, a virus none the less.
A large portion of my work is field service on home PCs. Spyware has actually become a more destructive problem than viruses for most of my residential clients who already have adequate virus protection.
Most people will have one or two spyware apps like Gator on their machines, which won't impact performance enough for them to notice. But if they have kids it's a different story. Kids download and install EVERYTHING until all the competing spyware renders the internet connection too slow to be usable. DNS requests are often hijacked and when that stops working they are dead in the water.
I get over 600 hits in an Ad-aware scan on a regular basis on machines where kids have access. I also return again and again to the same clients for the same problem. My favorites are the ones who download and install multiple "free" spyware-supported popup blockers, which just add fuel to the fire.
A large portion of my work is field service on home PCs. Spyware has actually become a more destructive problem than viruses for most of my residential clients who already have adequate virus protection.
Most people will have one or two spyware apps like Gator on their machines, which won't impact performance enough for them to notice. But if they have kids it's a different story. Kids download and install EVERYTHING until all the competing spyware renders the internet connection too slow to be usable. DNS requests are often hijacked and when that stops working they are dead in the water.
I get over 600 hits in an Ad-aware scan on a regular basis on machines where kids have access. I also return again and again to the same clients for the same problem. My favorites are the ones who download and install multiple "free" spyware-supported popup blockers, which just add fuel to the fire.
