During this season and its wishes of peace and joy to the world, it seems that the spam and spyware explosion has escalated even more. This really bothers me, and this is why.
The Internet has become, quite by accident, the greatest tool for social change ever. The ability for the people of the world to literally be in direct communication with each other, to share ideas and exchange goods and services, to have a platform for freedom of speech, is unparalleled in history. But what have we done with that tool?
Unfortunately, it has brought out the worst in people in many cases, rather than the best. I think there is no better example of that than the spam we all receive. I don't read much of the spam that I receive (who does?), but most of it is not for legitimate products. So not only are the people sending the spam invading your privacy and causing untold millions of dollars of cost to the Internet, they are doing it to promote products or services that appeal to the lowest and most prurient aspects of humanity.
But who reads that stuff? I can't believe that very many people are faked into reading it to any significant extent, and of those that do, how many actually inquire about or buy the products? Unfortunately, it is so cheap for spammers to send their email, that almost any return is a profit.
If you try one of the spam filter programs, you will fine that they are not fully effective, and in some cases swallow legitimate emails that you may receive. Unfortunately the spam filter program used by the ISPs (Internet Service Providers) will occasionally do that.
We are also all bothered by popups, although they tend to come from more legitimate sources and advertise better products. But, again, who really responds to that stuff? Most people either block them or just close them as fast as they open.
Spyware is epidemic. I get a lot of calls from people whose PCs have been hopelessly mired in spyware, stealing their processing power, compromising their privacy, and causing error after error. Not only did these people not ask for or allow the spyware on their systems, they don't even know it resides there.
And most of you know that I am not a fan of E-Bay-like auctions. I think many people who sell on these auctions are either selling something misrepresented or engaging in out-and-out theft.
So, what do we do about all of this? A year ago, I had believed that the spam activity would naturally die down. I just couldn't conceive of people actually responding to that stuff, and thus spam would diminish due to lack of interest. Apparently that hasn't happened. And I don't think the anti-spam legislation will be effective because most spam comes (or could come) from overseas anyhow. Ditto, by the way, on the do-not-call legislation.
The final answer can only be that you need to carefully vote with your pocketbook. Do not read or reply to spam. Choose your purchases on auction sites wisely. Ignore or filter popups. If you don't buy, they won't come.
Oh, and get a copy of either AdAware or Spybot and run it once a week to keep your PC clean of spyware. You can get them at www.cnet.com, click on Downloads and then search for either package.
Wishing you all the best for the holiday season!
Bob Seidel is a local computer consultant in the Southport / Oak Island area. You can visit his web site at www.bobseidel.com or e-mail questions or column ideas to him at bsc@bobseidel.com. For specific inquiries, please call Bob Seidel Consulting, LLC at 278-1007.