I guess I can live with that.
A
recent article reports that although spyware has become a very prominent issue,
with lots of companies trying to cash in on our desire to be protected from it,
many users seem to accept it as a necessary evil, or just aren't that concerned
by it at all. The article tells us about a piece of information gathering software
that people agree to install on their computers while installing free software
for file sharing. One person is reported as saying:
Neither of the Jacksons was concerned that all of their e-mails were being routed through Marketscore's servers.
"I doubt they have the time to sit there and read all our messages," said Marilyn Jackson. "Besides, my life is pretty boring anyway, it's not like there's anything interesting or criminal in my e-mail."
And perhaps there's more than just a bit of logic in that. Much spyware is simply
trying to make a buck by finding a niche they can milk. If a company comes along
and tells us that all they want to do is collect data on, let's say, our browsing
activities (so that they can sell it to someone else who might then learn how
to make money off us) should we really feel threatened? One
year ago I tried to examine the ramifications of living in a society where
so much seemingly personal (even incriminating) information
is available to whoever wants to look for it. I suggested then that we should
learn to live with this. People who aren't concerned with spyware seem to be doing
just that.
Go to: Fort PC.