Individual Members 

Member Surveys

Spyware

In recent months, there has been growing concern and publicity about spyware, malicious software that may be downloaded onto your personal computer without your knowledge or consent. In one particularly worrying case, spyware capable of monitoring keystrokes, identifying credit card numbers and passwords, and sending them to a server in Russia was detected on several machines. Fortunately, quick action was taken to block assess to the server before the criminals responsible for the spyware could victimize many Internet users. (For more information on spyware, visit www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,116526,00.asp ) The growing threat of spyware has led to calls for action by both industry and governments. This month's Cyber-survey is designed to determine what Internet Society members feel should be done about spyware.

The survey ended on August 12, 2004.

1. How familiar are you with the problem of spyware?

This is the first I've heard of it
I have seen a few articles about it
I am very familiar with spyware
I am working on solutions to the problem

2. Do you believe your computer(s) has been infected with spyware?

Certainly not
Probably not
Probably
Definitely
Don't Know

3. Do you know anyone who has been affected by spyware?

Yes
No

4. Have you taken any of the following steps to protect against spyware? (Check all that apply)

Install anti-virus software on my machine(s)
Install a firewall to block unauthorized connections to the Internet
Run special anti-spyware to detect spyware (e.g. Spybot)
Stopped downloading software of any kind from the Internet
Stopped using the Internet

5. How difficult do think it will be to find technical means to spyware?

Impossible
It will require a major redesign of PC software
It will require major changes to Internet standards
It will require significant fixes to Windows and other operating systems
It will require only a few quick fixes to Windows and other operating systems
Anti-spyware software is all that is needed

6. What is your opinion regarding legislation banning spyware:

Well-written legislation could be useful
National legislation is likely to be ineffective in stopping a global problem
Enforcement of existing laws on privacy and fraud is enough
Legislation is likely to be counter-productive

7. Are you optimistic? Do you think spyware will still be a problem in three years?

Definitely
Probably
Probably not
Definitely not
Don't know

8. Additional comments regarding spyware and possible solutions?

SURVEY RESULTS

Summary of Results

We received more than 570 responses to the Cyber Survey #13 ‘Spyware' sent out in July 2004.

More than 60% said they were familiar with the problem of spyware. More than 36% of the respondents believe that their computers have definitely been infected with spyware and almost 80% at least knew someone who has been affected by spyware.

The following measures have been taken to protect against spyware (more than one answers were possible): installation of anti-virus software (35%), installation of a firewall (32%), installation of special anti-spyware (30%). Some people also indicated that they had stopped downloading any kind of software from the Internet or even stopped using the Internet all together.

When asked how difficult it will be to find technical means to spyware, more than 50% believe it will at least require significant fixes to Windows and other operating systems. More than 13% believe major changes to Internet standards will be required and almost the same number of people believes that anti-spyware software is all that is needed.

When asked for an opinion regarding legislation banning spyware, more than 40% of the respondents believe that national legislation is likely to be ineffective in stopping a global problem, whereas 34% think that well-written legislation could be useful.

Most people are not very optimistic about solving this issue soon: almost 47% think that spyware will probably still be a problem in three years, more than 38% even think it will definitely still be a problem and not even 10% believe it might not be a problem anymore.

Finally, we received a number of additional comments that indicate how seriously the issue of spyware is taken: solutions ranging from drastic legal actions to a combination of technically blocking spyware and legislation to make spyware illegal are suggested. Some people further believe that quality and security holes in widely used software is the core problem and the issue of spyware should not be separated from other types of malware.

Thank you to all who took the time to complete the survey.