Comments on: 91% of PCs infected with spyware? http://www.hyperborea.org/journal/2004/09/91-percent-infected/ Sci-fi, comics, humor, photos...it's all fair game. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:01:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Katie http://www.hyperborea.org/journal/2004/09/91-percent-infected/#comment-568 Katie Fri, 01 Oct 2004 02:56:17 +0000 http://www.hyperborea.org/journal/archives/2004/09/30/91-percent-infected/#comment-568 I don't think this is a typo. There are plenty of otherwise-legitimate programs out there that incorporate info-sending features but don't tell end users about it. I recall learning that a huge number of file-sharing programs send more than just your files to more than just other users. Also, this is a really broad definition. If it's sending your age to the CDC, under this model, it counts. Additionally, I have reason to believe that at least 50% of computer users are not savvy enough to either 1) avoid questionable programs, 2) know what they look like, or 3) get rid of them. Of 60-odd people in my office, I would only call 10 truly computer literate, and there are plenty who just watch the blinkenlights. Hearing this statistic after spending a day with them, I believe it completely. I don’t think this is a typo. There are plenty of otherwise-legitimate programs out there that incorporate info-sending features but don’t tell end users about it. I recall learning that a huge number of file-sharing programs send more than just your files to more than just other users. Also, this is a really broad definition. If it’s sending your age to the CDC, under this model, it counts.

Additionally, I have reason to believe that at least 50% of computer users are not savvy enough to either 1) avoid questionable programs, 2) know what they look like, or 3) get rid of them. Of 60-odd people in my office, I would only call 10 truly computer literate, and there are plenty who just watch the blinkenlights. Hearing this statistic after spending a day with them, I believe it completely.

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