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Consent 'makes spyware adware'

Spyware and adware are two different issues - with the distinction being determined by whether the user gives consent.

That is the assertion of Paul I Etkin in a new post on the Twin Peaks blog.

He explains that some free software is supported by advertising and as such installs adware to send commercial messages to the user.

But where this is done without consent, he adds that the software represents spyware.

Mr Etkin writes that the symptoms that such installation may have taken place include unexpected pop-up windows, toolbars which cannot be removed and slow performance.

He tells users that the first stage is "determining that you indeed have spyware installed on your computer".

Should such malicious software be detected, he recommends seeking appropriate counter measures.

His comments follow suggestions from Patrik Bihammar, senior analyst for IDC Australia, that consumer concerns are driving the uptake of computer protection solutions.

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