Spyware and Anti-Spyware

Problems with the current anti-spyware

Both of these approaches are only aids, and not an end solution to spyware, which probably will never come. There are some things within the anti-spyware industry that need improvement (5):

1. Some anti-spyware applications will count all files and folders within folders toward the total number of spyware products removed. This makes the actual number of different types of spyware it removes unknown, and misleads the consumers using the product.

2. There are products that count all cookies as spyware. This may lead to erasing cookies that are "false positives" - cookies that store useful information about the user, and are valid.

3. Inability to eliminate polymorphic spyware. Polymorphic means that it continually changes its file name and contents, making it hard to catch. This makes it difficult for anti-spyware programs to find it, since it is virtually represents a new piece of spyware every time.

The last case emphasizes a problem of the anti-spyware industry has in dealing with new types of spyware, introduced before the software is updated to deal with it. The anti-spyware needs to find ways to combat new spyware, so that the user is protected.

V. Comparison of popular anti-spyware applications

As there is a legitimate threat of spyware, and some anti-spyware applications do not perform as well as desired, there is need for a way to discern the better performing from the lesser. Questions proposed necessary to keep in mind when selecting an anti-spyware application in the literature (1, 5, 7) may be summarized as follows:

1) What types of spyware scanning techniques does the application employ?

2) What types of spyware does the application remove?

3) How often does the provider update its spyware definitions?

4) How does the provider look for spyware infections?

5) What technologies does the application use to provide real-time prevention?

6) Does the anti-spyware solution require any intervention on the part of the end user or affect his or her productivity in any way?

7) Flexibility in features, scanning, removal, management and administration.

To actually get the answers to these questions and areas of performance, the user may check reviews on spyware applications online or in magazines and journals, such as Consumer Reports and Information eWeek. Table 1 below is provides comparison based on the presented questions for the several more popular anti-spyware applications on the market. Information on what can be obtained for free variants and price evaluations is also provided.

VI.