I don’t think you need a degree in any sort of education to know this next statement is a fact, “Fear of Spyware Changes Your Online Habits“. I know it has changed mine, and it has probably changed yours. These days you really do have to be a security expert to get Online and do anything semi-productive. This article from the AP does have some interesting facts and figures though:
According to Pew, 48 percent of adult Internet users in the United States have stopped visiting specific Web sites that they fear might be harboring unwanted programs.
Twenty-five percent stopped using file-sharing software, which often comes bundled with adware. Rogue programs can also disguise themselves as songs or movie files awaiting download on file-sharing networks.
Eighteen percent of U.S. adult Internet users have started using Mozilla Firefox or another alternative to Internet Explorer.
In addition, 81 percent have become more cautious about e-mail attachments, a common way for spreading viruses, though rare for spyware or adware.
All told, 91 percent have made at least one behavioral change.
Users hit by spyware or adware were more likely than others to change their habits.
Check out the rest of the article to get a few more interesting facts and talk about how badly spyware is changing our day to day lives.
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