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Computer industry

Spyware Epidemic Hits Technology Companies, Leaving Consumers in the Dark

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Technology companies such as Dell, Microsoft, and America Online are scrambling to respond to a growing number of customer complaints about spyware, which can cause slow computers, dropped internet connections, and even steal personal information. In an effort to combat the problem, these companies are beginning to offer spyware-detection tools and educate the public about the risks of spyware.

Key Takeaways:

  • Spyware has become a major problem for technology companies, with officials citing its role in up to one-third of application crashes on Windows XP computers.
  • America Online estimates that just three spyware programs cause some 300,000 internet disconnections per day.
  • A Forrester Research analyst estimates that a spyware-related support call can cost $15 to $45, and companies may lose business.
  • Companies such as Yahoo, AOL, and EarthLink are offering spyware-detection tools, with some restrictions on paid subscribers.
  • Microsoft's Service Pack 2 security upgrade for Windows XP warns users of spyware and other unexpected programs before they are loaded.
  • Dell will have similar spyware-detection software by the holidays, while Hewlett-Packard's software comes with a 30-day free trial and costs $20 per year after that.

Statistics:

  • Up to one-third of application crashes on Windows XP computers are caused by spyware (Microsoft).
  • 300,000 internet disconnections per day are caused by just three spyware programs (America Online).
  • A spyware-related support call can cost $15 to $45 (Forrester Research).
  • The cost of anti-spyware software is $20 per year after a 30-day free trial (Hewlett-Packard).

Sources:

  • Allison Linn, Associated Press, "Spyware is slow-killing Windows" (no date or publication date mentioned).
  • Forrester Research (Jonathan Penn), "Spyware: a growing problem for Internet users" (no date or publication date mentioned).
  • Microsoft Corporation (Paul Bryan), "Windows XP Service Pack 2" (no date or publication date mentioned).
  • Hewlett-Packard Corporation (no date or publication date mentioned).
  • America Online (no date or publication date mentioned).

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