Non-Technical Users Talk Malware

swirsky writes "The Chicago Sun Times is running an article detailing the experiences of non-technical users after they were infected by spyware, malware, and viruses. We cluck our collective tongue and think that we'd never be so stupid, but this is a major problem that plagues personal computing." From the article: "The study found that spyware has disrupted the computer lives of 43 percent of surfers. That means an estimated 59 million people have spyware or adware on their computers, the study found. Adware is defined as tracking programs that come bundled with other software and that users knowingly download, although they don't necessarily want the adware."

Comments

Re:Malware == Moolah

[lucabrasi999]

I'll tell you something else...the $129 average price tag quoted in the article is right on the money.

Bah, I could find an overseas resource to do the same thing for $12.

No spyware, malware

[Krankheit]

I have no spyware or malware on my computer. I only download good programs, like Bonzai Buddy and smilies for my Outlook Express. When I am not using my computer, and while I am using my computer too, I let my computer send out e-mail and perform security audits on other Microsoft Windows computers! In exchange, I get free, unlimited access to special money saving offers for products from many reputable companies, such as Pfizer.

Re:It's not just the non-technical users

[guitaristx]

I think that we technical people are also misunderestimating the danger posed by this junk to our own machines.

I think we technical people are "misunderestimating" our own grasp of the English language.

Re:It's not just the non-technical users

[Anonymous Coward]

spayware

I didn't know software could do that.

Re:Malware == Moolah

[tehshen]

Bah, I could find an overseas resource to do the same thing for $12.

I downloaded a desktop assistant that does the same thing for free!