2Search Promotes Spy/Adware via Deception

Webroot (which is a well respected computer security company) has discovered that "2Search" misdirects users to site that download spy/adware on your system. Apparently, they are able to produce fake "Google" results, which normally lead to "e-Bay" listings (often found on Google results). Quite often, these results if "clicked" upon lead to more spy/adware being downloaded on your computer.

According to Webroot, the reason they are doing this is that it conceals the fact that you are downloading spy/adware. Spy software is becoming big business, generating about $2.4 billion in annual revenue, per a report issued last week by Webroot.

Here is a link describing the difference between spyware and adware from Webopedia.

The Difference Between Adware & Spyware

The differences are minimal and we need to examine this problem from a social perspective. The line between the so-called legitimate uses for business and criminal enterprises is relatively small. Both are invading our privacy and shouldn't be considered legitimate in any form!

Here is a link to a site from the Center for Democracy and Technology listing the current legislation against spy/adware:

http://www.cdt.org/privacy/spyware/

I also recommend for those of us, who want changes in the laws to call your representative. Installing spy devices in personal domains is a fundamental violation of our right to privacy.

For those, who might not have protection, Spybot is free and can be downloaded at:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

If you wish to purchase products from Webroot, click on the title of this post.