They watch you surf the Web. They plague you with pop-up ads. Then they cripple your hard drive
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_29/b3993001.htm
NetWarden Comment:
This is a rather large article, however a very good read especially if you really want a quick education about the Spy-ware (Ad-ware) business and why it is really up to you to always be on guard protecting your own system.
NetWarden tips RE: Spy-ware
There is no such thing as a free lunch! If it's free, then it has ad-ware/spy-ware.
Ad-ware/Spy-ware are not 'benign', treat them as you would a virus.
Always have anti-virus, anti-spy-ware/ad-ware installed, running and UP-TO-DATE!
Schedule automatic anti-virus, anti-spy-ware/ad-ware updates and scans on your computer to run regularly (scheduling scans when your least likely to be using your computer is best, however remember to have the computer on for the scheduled update and scan).
Back up your DATA (not the software) regularly. If you have to restore your system, using the original software CD's will ensure a clean fresh start.
If you are going to download and install software, as much of a pain it is, READ the legal stuff and make sure you are not agreeing to anything else being installed to your computer or waiving any rights-to/control-of your own system by installing and using said software. Even software you pay for may have ad-ware/spy-ware embedded.
