InterDigital Inc (IDCC)

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OT: Spyware and Identity Theft

To all the longs, here’s some information relating to spyware and identity theft you might think about. Recently I ran Microsoft’s anti-spy beta program, Spybot’s Search & Destroy, McAfee’s Internet Security Suite, and SBC/Yahoo DSL’s anti-spyware programs. My point is that after all these, Counter-Spy then found an additional 10 pieces of spyware on my PC. One of the programs it discovered was a commercial key logger, which can attempt to detect your keystrokes, find critical data, and even begin to remotely control your pc.

I would take a few moments to look at these articles if you have the time. Recently I read where 91% of all PC’s were infected with spyware, so the odds are pretty heavy that’s applicable to most pc users. Let me add a few bullet points:

*Don’t leave any critical data on your pc—remember that it might be detected.
*Consider multiple anti-spyware programs, so that what one doesn’t catch the other does.
*Realize that just because there’s a cost for software or advertisements doesn’t mean they’re good. Take a moment and compare some “brand” names to the results and lesser known pieces of software.
*Watch out for the fake “Phishing” web sites or e-mails asking for your data.
*If your pc begins to be somewhat slower than normal, do the obvious first such as removing any temporary internet files plus defrag’ing. If it’s still slow, you may have multiple pieces of spyware slowing you down. Look for these types of red flags.
*My McAfee allowed me to monitor the # of probes/attacks from other sources; last month 2700 were blocked, including some Trojan spyware.

“10 Million people have fallen prey to some form of identity theft in the past five years.” - Federal Trade Commission Estimate

“$1400 average amount victims pay to clear their names.” - 2003 Identity Theft Resource Center Study

“600 hours average time victims spend to clear their names and credit.” – 2003 Identity Theft Resource Center

Dell was recently quoted as saying 12% of their tech service calls were related to spyware.

ID Theft Center.org – some interesting information relating to identity theft
http://www.idtheftcenter.org/index.shtml

Download of Spybot Search & Destroy - free
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,22262,00.asp

PC World’s Spystoppers Article on Spyware, a test they made, what works and doesn’t
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,119572,00.asp

PC World’s Top Two Recommendations: CounterSpy and Spy Sweeper
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,119572,pg,2,00.asp

PC Spyware Article and what they recommend – March ’05 – Spyware Eliminator and Spyware Doctor rated the highest, with Spy Sweeper #3
http://www.adwarereports.com/mt/archives/000004.html?gcid=S14084x005-Ad2&KEYWORD=spyware%20progr...