Internet Changes Everything

Yahoo Joins Battle Against Spyware

Enterprise Security Today (Online Security): NewsFactor Network - Windows Security - Yahoo Joins Battle Against Spyware

By Jay Wrolstad
Enterprise Security Today
May 27, 2004 11:02AM

Yahoo is offering the beta version of a new anti-spyware tool, dubbed "Anti-Spy," to an audience of test users. ISPs and Internet security experts are taking aggressive action against spyware, which can monitor the Web sites a computer user visits and collect passwords and credit-card information.

Yahoo has launched new anti-spyware software, becoming the latest Internet service provider to combat a problem plaguing virtually every computer user with an Internet connection.
Anti-Spy, available in a beta version, resides on the toolbar, making it easier for customers to scan for and remove malicious software, including spyware. Provided by anti-spyware specialist Pest Patrol, it is currently available for download to a limited audience.

A Growing Concern

Spyware often is installed, unbeknownst to the user, along with the download of a file-sharing program or other software. Once on a machine, it can monitor keystrokes and determine sites visited -- collecting passwords, account numbers and e-mail addresses while delivering unsolicited ads.

ISPs like AOL and EarthLink also have addressed this growing problem. AOL launched a version of anti-spyware software for its customers in January. And I.T. security companies, such as Symantec , now are focusing on spyware as a serious threat to network security

"Yahoo, like its competitors, needs to protect the customer base," said Bruce Hughes of TruSecure. "We are seeing spyware now that can do some serious damage -- such as change DNS settings and automatically redirect search results."

A Problem for Businesses

Spyware typically enters a computer through Internet Explorer vulnerabilities. "More and more ISPs and Web portals are taking action to block spyware," Hughes told NewsFactor.

While consumers are more susceptible to spyware assaults, such attacks are a problem for businesses, too, since workers frequently download software behind the firewall.

Spyware has become more sophisticated, said Forrester Research security analyst Michael Rasmussen, presenting potential problems for enterprises that can be held liable for security breaches . "This is no longer a benign technology," he told NewsFactor.

In conjunction with the beta launch of Anti-Spy, Yahoo is offering a forum to keep customers up to speed regarding security issues related to spyware and other malware.

May 27, 2004 at 10:02 PM in Portals | Permalink | TrackBack (18) | Top of page | Blog Home