SolveYourProblem
Article Series: Spyware
Gid Rid of Spyware on My System
Legislation
to Stop Spyware
What
does spyware and why is legislation want to get involved? Spyware is software that will track and/or
collect personal information from users who are online. This
spyware can change the users settings and create advertisements
to pop-up that will match the last site they looked at online.
The majority of the time consumers are unaware of what is happening
to their computers and keep on clicking having no idea their
every “click” is being monitored. Once the user does find out
that spyware has been downloaded to their computer it is near
impossible to remove. There are at least 28 states that are
considering legislating spyware and twelve states enacted legislation
in the year 2005.
North Carolina has enacted legislation called the “Spyware
Control Act.” They have done this so that manufacturers can
no longer sell products that include spyware without the consumer’s
knowledge. Tried of having their privacy violated in this manner
the citizens of North Carolina took a stand and have made it
clear they want their privacy protected. This act states that
manufacturers who build spyware into their products are required
to tell the consumers clearly that they are about to purchase
products that include spyware. The notice that manufactures
have to put on their products needs to state the type of information
they collect and to whom they send it.
The manufacturers of “free-ware” state that the only reason
they have spyware programs built into their programs is that
they are using it improve their advertising returns. This legislative
act will also for manufactures make certain that the spyware
placed in products is done so correctly, properly encrypted,
and insulated adequately so that hackers cannot penetrate it.
This act has some “common sense exceptions” such as
- Spyware gathering information for the use of technical advisement
to the user
- Support of the software
- Determining whether the individual using the software has
a legal right to use it
There is also legislation called Software Principles yielding
Better Levels of Consumer Knowledge (SPYBLOCK) Act that is
designed to give consumers control over the programs they want
to download into their computers. There are three aspects of
spyware addressed:
- Imposes new rules that make it difficult for companies to
slide software onto users’ systems unknowingly
- Requires directions and options for removal that are easily
understood
- Prohibits any harmful spyware
Many companies download software onto a users’ computer without
their knowledge, this bill would require a company to notify
the user before the download began explaining why they were
going to do this and give the user the option of accepting
or declining. Now some spyware is nearly impossible to remove
once it is in your computer. This bill would give the individuals
the ability to enter into a contract and leave the contract
if they want to, which would allow them to remove any spyware
that has been placed on their computer.
Congress
is getting closer and closer to passing an anti-spyware
bill with the ever-increasing concern with cyber security an
issue they are being pressured to do something to protect the
consumers from unwanted spyware. The bottom line that the legislation
and congress is trying to accomplish is stopping the manufacturers
from placing spyware onto the products of consumers without
their knowledge. To create a system to where the manufacturers,
regardless of the reason they are putting spyware into their
products, must notify the consumers and give them the option
of accepting or declining. This is important whether the consumer
is purchasing the products over the Internet or through a retail
chain. Once they put it on their computer, they should be notified
in some fashion that spyware is present and given the opportunity
to accept or decline with out any residual affect to the program
that they purchased.
What legal rights do you have against those who believe it
is their right to monitor every stroke we make on the computer
for their gain? Those who use spyware state that the consumer
has agreed to allow these sites to gather personal information
simply by using certain products. You know that little box
at the bottom of the screen that you frequently ignore that
says, “Click here if you agree?” Well, guess what you are agreeing
to? That is right, spyware being downloaded onto your computer.
. It is not fair to force a consumer to comply with spyware
simply to use a program. Will enacting laws help this situation?
Only time will tell.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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