You Say Adware; Users See Spyware

The latest survey on internet behavior by the Pew American & Internet Life Project shows increasing user awareness about spyware accompanied by confusion between legit adware and surreptitious programs. According to the survey of 1,336 internet users between May 4 and June 7, 48 percent are staying away from sites they associate with unwanted downloads while 28 percent say fear of spyware or viruses is keeping them off P2P services. Eighteen percent have switched browsers for protection.
The survey comes as adware purveyors and companies using adware are trying to improve their image with some gear-shifting like Claria’s withdrawal from Kazaa, for instance — and better self-marketing such as WhenU’s change in sign-up procedures. Business Week has more details. (For what it’s worth, Microsoft Word’s spellcheck doesn’t like either term.)

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