Marcus's Musings

If you're not regularly scanning your machine for spyware (aka adware / malware) on a regular basis using a tool such as Ad-Aware or Spybot Search & Destroy (in conjunction with a decent virus checker and firewall) then the chances are that your PC is relaying reams of information about your surfing habits, the documents on your hard disk, and possibly even every keystroke that you make (yes, that includes credit card numbers). This isn't scaremongering, it's real, and it's happening to millions of PC users worldwide every day without their knowledge or consent.

Hopefully none of this should be news to you, and you are already keeping your system clean & secure. If not, then read up and get your PC disinfected ASAP!!

Anyway, the reason that I mention this issue is because I came across a account of somebody's investigation into exactly how a machine can acquire spyware, which I found absolutely fascinating - it just goes to show that those seemingly obscure IE security holes really *can* affect *you*, the home user.

Read it for yourself here:
Follow the Bouncing Malware - Part I

Part II should be following shortly, and there's plenty of other interesting security-related coverage, so be sure to monitor the diary page or subscribe to the RSS feed.