Spyware Detection

If you think clean web sites with nice-looking graphics are always safe, sadly, you are wrong! A national survey found 97% of those who use the internet can easily download spyware, adware, malware and other types of intruders.

Users were quizzed on how deft they were at spyware detection. The first part showed users two sites, and they were told to pick which was safe. Then, they were shown software sharing sites, and asked which were free of spyware and adware.

65% would have easily infected their computers with spyware and adware. It is very easy to miss the fine print, where users are basically told that spyware will be put on their hard drive. This quiz was designed to find out how a user's spyware detection skills, specifically, how easily they could spot harmful intruders.

When national advertisers had their ads on a page, and the site had a clean design, respondents often were tricked into thinking that web site is safe. Even those internet users deemed to have a high spyware detection IQ will almost certainly visit a site that has dangerous spyware intruders ready to pounce on your system.

Sites with screen savers, free games, and file sharing (songs, movies, etc) tricked users the most. Those taking this quiz also had a hard time with sites that have lyrics to songs on them. The theory is that these sites had ads from well-known companies like Circuit City and Monster, thus legitimizing it in the eyes of users and therefore tricking them.