Security software firm McAfeehas
warned that spyware is getting out of control and "morphing" into
new threats.
The
McAfee "Spyware: A Morphing Campaign" report examines the
evolution of adware and spyware, and details the current threats to
society.
The McAfee report details how spyware has become a
financially-driven business, and is increasingly used in cybercrime
and even domestic violence cases.
Using spyware for surveillance in cases of domestic abuse is a
serious matter, says the report. Installing software to track and
control an unaware victim's computer has social and legal
implications.
There is a strong movement within the US National Network to End
Domestic Violence to educate victims and the general public about
safe computing.
Many security companies have made sizable monetary donations to
this organisation to assist in education and to provide aid for
securing networks within shelters for victims of domestic
violence.
Gartner estimates that by 2010, 70% of all IT security incidents
will be spyware-related. McAfee's Avert Labs report that rootkits,
which are used to hide spyware, are on the rise, and more than
12,000 variants exist in the wild.