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Software that conceals itself in other
programs and reports back to its creators on their usage. Coined by
programming wizard Steve Gibson, the expression was originally used to
describe a program that collected non-identifiable user information for
advertising purposes without the user's knowledge, raising inevitable
privacy concerns among web users. Many other programs have since been shown
to have spyware characteristics. Some large companies have been criticised
for collecting data without the user's permission, most notably Real
Networks, whose RealJukebox program for recording from cds on to hard
disks reported details of its users' listening habits and music libraries
back to corporate headquarters. recent versions have hade this feature
removed. The problem appears to be growing, especially in the business
world: one in three European companies' networks are now infected with
spyware, according to a 2003 survey by Websense, a web management company,
raising fears about the confidentiality of business information. |
