What’s Spyware?
You have probably never heard of advertising supported software, but luckily for you, your IT support unit probably has. One of the best ways to explain this is by its more commonly used name, spyware. But where did the term come from?
As we all know, one of the most expensive things about running a computer is the software. When you buy a computer it comes with its own operating software and maybe some other preinstalled items which you can use to make the computing experience more enjoyable. But when you want to use specific applications like word processors or spreadsheets, you normally have to purchase them from companies like Microsoft. But there is a myriad of other applications that users need from time to time and rather than pay for expensive, especially written pieces of software, many users found it easier to use free programs which could be sourced right across the Internet.
In fact, some software developers found it difficult to sell enough of their product to make ends meet and so they began to offer it as shareware. The software developers approached various retail companies and offered to place banner ads at highly visible sections of their application and asked for a share of the revenue generated by users who click on their ads. The benefits were that the software developer was able to generate more income from the ads, the advertisers benefited from increased sales, and the users of the software were able to obtain it at bargain prices or in some cases for free.
It seemed like everyone was a winner. But the party soon turned sour as unscrupulous advertisers and software developers began to utilise this software distribution method for other purposes.
In order to track the success of their various banner advertising campaigns, developers began to insert tracking software that scanned the systems of users and transmitted reports and statistical data back to the advertisers.
The result was that every time someone clicked on a banner advertisement, a spy was installed on the computer that could track surfing habits and even spending patterns. The advertisers could then use this information for future campaigns and even to send e-mail.
Naturally people began to treat these methods as invasive of their privacy and started looking for solutions. The trouble is spyware is not necessarily illegal despite the fact that some elements of privacy might be compromised. But, where the user’s PC and Internet connection was being utilised for the advertisers’ purposes, it is an entirely different matter.
Companies who specialise in computer protection have since developed a sophisticated array of protective software that can prevent ad ware and spyware from invading your computer.
On the other hand, many people are still quite happy to have the spyware on their computer because they get the benefits of the free software that has been downloaded.
At the end of the day, it is a matter of personal choice but it is reassuring to know that there are managed IT services and solutions readily available on the market to take the worry out of the situation.
