Spyware Adware International Threat

Finding an ad ware program holding your personal computer hostage has become a common predicament that even advanced users of the internet experience. Learning that your highly rated, paid for, antivirus/antispyware programs cannot remedy the situation, may call for the utterance of more than a few expletives. Intentionally accessing a personal computer without permission and causing a program or code to be written or copied on that protected computer, often causes consternation, financial and productivity losses.

If you feel your personal computer is now infected scroll to the bottom of this article for possible solutions.

These invasions of your personal protected property are unconscionable. Kaspersky’s anti-virus research group analyzed approximately 200 new samples of malware a day in 2007. Eugene Kaspersky stated, "No antivirus company can come before you and say we can handle everything. It's responsible to be vocal." Massive cyber attacks have been generated a year later. This situation has gone far beyond overwhelming antiviral software vendors. When thousands of servers and millions of web pages are hacked in a day or two, the situation becomes an international crisis. The time for the public to become “vocal” has come.

Cooperation between law enforcement and the internet industries needs to become a forced issue. With the passage of H.R.5938 in September 2008, some excellent tools were put into place to combat one front in this cyber war. The bill became law No: 110-326 when signed by President George W. Bush. In the United States Congress, H.R.1525 Passed the House of Representatives May 22, 2007. May 23, 2007: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Since then there has been no visible action despite overwhelming support for the bill in Congress. H.R.1525 is a stand-alone bill requiring no new taxes or earmarks. It is the sense of Congress that the Department of Justice should use the amendments made by this Act, and all other available tools, vigorously to prosecute those who use spyware to commit crimes and those that conduct phishing and pharming scams. Many of these scams are responsible for identity theft. Though most cyber attacks are contrived overseas, H.R.1525 provides an important prelude to launching a serious counter attack on these invasions. Make no mistake in not relating these attacks to Home Land Security. Computer hacking is now causing battle field concerns for the military.

Congress does listen. Sent were letters to both of Hawaii’s congressional senators asking, “Can you please find out and inform me of when this bill will move forward and why has there been such a long delay?” One senator has replied but failed to answer my question. As of November 11th There are no bills scheduled for a hearing in November or December.

Please take a few minutes to read this bill. The bill is very easy to read and understand. Please use this link to contact your Senators and politely encourage them to expedite H.R.1525. Also please contact Senator Patrick Leahy (Judiciary Chairman) from the state of Vermont. Senator Leahy’s office was contacted by phone on 11/17/2008 and urged to bring this bill to the Senate floor. When asked why this bill had not come to the floor after passing the House 18 months ago, the response was “They just have not gotten to it yet.” No groups or opposition to H.R.1525 could be sited by either Senator Leahy’s nor Senator Akaka’s office. Certainly further measures will be necessary to combat these threats on an international level. Right now, we can take a big step forward by enabling aggressive prosecution these criminals.

Many of us are not supportive of growth of our government and regulation however protection of personal properties and the nation’s security is a legitimate cause for it. H.R.1525 does provide for uses of spyware that are beneficial to internet users and vendors alike. This issue is extremely complex when the international level of enforcement is concerned. The internet needs stricter regulation. With around two billion web pages world wide decisions must be made concerning what level the strongest regulations should be implemented. Surely, the fingers of these illicit operations need to cut off as quickly as possible. Foresight and actions can prevent catastrophe. We can light the fire. Even a cave man could do that. Please urge Congress to take action on H.R.1525 immediately.


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