| Over the last couple of years hackers have shifted | | | | individuals and businesses protecting themselves |
| their focus from large targets to small business and | | | | against the spyware problem. At this time, antivirus |
| individuals. Unfortunately, neither have the financial | | | | companies haven't arrived at a solid solution. |
| resources to protect against the hard-hitting hackers. | | | | So what are these anitvirus companies doing? Some |
| Even more challenging, experts say the | | | | are including some type of antispyware functionality |
| over-the-counter antivirus solutions aren't keeping up | | | | into their products. Some vendors are selling patching |
| with these ever changing threats. | | | | and spyware combined into one. Others have mixed |
| · Have you heard U.S. businesses lost over | | | | their spyware solution with their antivirus Bundled |
| $67 billion to cyber crime in 2006 according to the FBI? | | | | together, these solutions aren't cost effective and |
| · Did you know that 87% of businesses | | | | probably deliver a lower level antispyware. |
| suffered from some sort of cyber crime last year | | | | Several independent tests have shown that |
| according to the same report? | | | | stand-alone antispyware products have been proven |
| · Approximately 15 million U.S. citizens will lose | | | | to be the most effective. |
| their identity this year according to the FTC | | | | Today's over-the-counter anti-virus Internet security |
| I could add that cyber crime out grew the illegal drugs | | | | products protect against specific code or signature |
| business in 2006 according to the U.S. Department of | | | | files. Each virus has it's own code. When the anti-virus |
| Treasury, too. Needless to say we are looking at a | | | | software identifies the code it kicks it out or alerts the |
| huge problem. Many are calling the Internet security | | | | owner of the computer. Many anti-virus companies try |
| issue a pandemic. | | | | to keep up with this, however consider this: |
| Over the last couple of years hackers have shifted | | | | Professional hackers have developed spy ware that, |
| their focus from large targets to small business and | | | | once it enters a computer and steals your email |
| individuals. | | | | addresses and other information, changes its code or |
| I'll tell you why... | | | | signature file. The spy ware continues to invade new |
| Small business and individuals don't have the large | | | | computers stealing information and changing its |
| sums of money needed to pay for the kind of Internet | | | | signature file automatically from computer to computer |
| security protection used by large corporations. This | | | | virtually making traditional over-the-counter anti-virus |
| makes both easier targets. | | | | Internet security protection useless. |
| What are these two groups using to protect | | | | To be safe, small business and individuals need to find |
| themselves? Generally, you find small business and | | | | a proven Internet security solution that can fight against |
| individuals using over-the-counter and freeware | | | | this type of cyber crime. This solution not only needs |
| (shareware) to protect their computers. | | | | to aggressively keep up with the changing cyber crime |
| Over the last year, antivirus companies have | | | | landscape, but also anticipate what might be coming in |
| attempted to counter the spyware problem, however, | | | | the future. This is what the major corporations are |
| the fact is their code and signature files were not built | | | | using and it's what you should have on your |
| to effectively remove spyware. How does this impact | | | | computer(s), too. |
| how well your home or business is protected? The | | | | You may find it surprising that many vendors have |
| rule for viruses is to keep them out. When it comes to | | | | downgraded or "delisted" known spyware and |
| spyware much more sophisticated code and scanning | | | | adware. This can jeopardize the security of your |
| mechanisms are required. | | | | personal or business information. |
| Several September 2005 product reviews state that | | | | Unfortunately, most Internet security software available |
| many antivirus applications have obvious deficiencies in | | | | to small business and individuals don't have the ability to |
| antispyware cleaning and blocking routines. This makes | | | | keep up with the growing cyber crime pandemic |
| it difficult to recommend these software products to | | | | creating Internet insecurity. |