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Bono Boosts Passage Of Spyware Ac
John Stith
Staff Writer
2005-05-25
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The House recently passed H.R. 29 better known as the Spy Act or more specifically the Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act. The bill was designed to protect Internet users from the multitudes of spyware that inundate our computers nearly every time we log on.
Congresswoman Mary Bono (R-Ca) co-authored this bill with Ed Towns (D-NY) and picked up a lot of support from Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Joe Barton (R- Tx) and the ranking Democrat, John Dingle of Michigan.The bill overwhelmingly with one dissenting vote.
"As this nation continues to push towards a global e-commerce marketplace, spyware stands to undermine the security and integrity of e-commerce and data security," Bono said. "Daily web activities by consumers have become stalking grounds for computer hackers through spyware. Consumers regularly and unknowingly are downloading software programs that have the ability to track their every move. Consumers have a right to know and have a right to decide who has access to their highly personal information that spyware can collect. It is imperative that Congress swiftly pass legislation that will empower consumers to take back control of their computers and safeguard their personal information," added Bono.
Spyware is a type of software, which can be downloaded onto a consumer's personal computer by a third party without the consumer's knowledge. Spyware collects information about the user and can enable third parties to track and gather data regarding the user's web behavior and keystrokes whenever online. Collected information can include credit card numbers, passwords and other personal information, which can then be sold for illegal purposes or used to drive advertising to computers. Spyware can be found on any number of very popular web-sites, and users can even be infected and tracked by visiting just a single site on which one of the advertisers uses spyware.
Congresswoman Bono introduced H.R. 29, "Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act," (SPY Act) in January of 2005. The bill protects individuals from unknowingly downloading spyware by requiring that consumers receive a clear and conspicuous notice prior to the transmission of any spyware software. The bill additionally includes provisions to prohibit unfair or deceptive behavior such as key-stroke logging, computer high jacking, phishing and the display of advertisements that cannot be closed.
Spyware and other Internet based problems like phishing remain real problems for your average computer users. Microsoft figures a full 1/3rd of all Windows crashes come as a result of Spyware.
The fines will run into the millions of dollars as well as serious jail time for companies that continue to invade computers. The Spy Act as well as the I-Spy Act also should go along way to help people be free of spyware.
About the Author:
John is a staff writer for SecurityProNews covering cyber security.
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