| Identity theft protection is quickly becoming a hot topic. | | | | surfing habits. |
| Every day, computer users are haunted by stories of | | | | However, because of Spector’s ease of use, it |
| people falling victim to identity theft. The biggest culprit | | | | enables almost anyone to become a cyber criminal. |
| in this recent rise in cyber crime is spyware, the | | | | According to Robert Graham, security executive at |
| buzzword that is on the lips of every internet user. | | | | Atlanta based Errata Security, 99% of the people who |
| Experts are now saying that nothing is 100 percent | | | | download programs like Spector do not use it for |
| secure on the internet anymore, and users must take | | | | legitimate reasons. |
| steps to protect themselves. | | | | Spyware like Spector enables cyber criminals to easily |
| Although computer users are becoming much more | | | | gain access to sensitive information such as banking |
| adept at protecting themselves from online identity | | | | usernames and passwords, credit card information, |
| theft threats such as viruses, the public is only just now | | | | social security numbers, and more. Just because a |
| starting to take notice of the huge increase in crimes | | | | banking site labels itself as secure does not mean that |
| enabled by the use of spyware. | | | | a user is protected from a keylogger. Since |
| A couple based in Philadelphia was recently arrested | | | | keyloggers reside on the user’s computer, they |
| for their illegal use of the spyware program Spector, | | | | record keystrokes in real time, and can steal and send |
| which is a widely available program that anyone can | | | | password information before the user even submits |
| buy for under $100. Spector is a keylogger, and once | | | | that information across the internet to a banking site. |
| installed on a computer it has the ability to record all | | | | Is identity theft protection possible? Can users protect |
| keystroke activity and send it out to virtually | | | | themselves from the threat of spyware? Is there a |
| anyone—including cyber criminals. Spector is | | | | way to remove spyware from an infected computer? |
| able to record information such as passwords, credit | | | | The answer, thankfully, is yes. There are several |
| cards, social security numbers, and other sensitive | | | | spyware removal programs on the market that do an |
| information. | | | | incredible job of finding and removing dangerous |
| The company responsible for SpectorSoft is currently | | | | spyware programs such as Spector. |
| defending itself, stating that its program was never | | | | Users must be careful, however, since there are many |
| marketed as a way to steal information. Instead, they | | | | “rogue” anti spyware programs that are |
| wrote the program to be used | | | | actually spyware themselves. The best bet is to |
| “legitimately” to keep tabs on business | | | | purchase a spyware program from a reputable |
| employees, spouses concerned about affairs, and | | | | software vendor, such as ParetoLogic or PCTools. |
| keeping a watchful eye on teenagers’ internet | | | | |