[转载]Spyware discussion paper

信息来源：邪恶八进制信息安全团队（www.eviloctal.com）

As the Internet has grown in popularity and convenience it is increasingly being used by Australians to shop, bank and conduct business online. The Internet provides access to resources and services that would be far more time-consuming and difficult to reach in person. Unfortunately, this technology is occasionally used for less beneficial and ethical purposes. Individuals, business and government are faced with an increasing number of security threats to their computers and Internet connections. Threats such as computer viruses cause concern because they can spread rapidly and have the potential to cause damage, downtime and increased IT support costs. Traditionally virus writers have been motivated by the notoriety associated with the widespread destruction caused by viruses. Spyware is an e-security threat that has emerged in the last few years. It poses a risk to business and individuals operating online because it is secretly installed on a computer and takes information and resources for someone else抯 benefit. Spyware is used to steal personal details, sensitive commercial information and computer resources without the knowledge or permission of the user. Spyware writers are primarily motivated by financial gain through activities such as identity theft and fraud.