Silicon Insider: Spyware

May 20, 2004 -- Hundreds of thousands of people opened their computer browser today to what they thought was their home page — and instead saw the page for iSearch, a computer "spyware" program that has hijacked their computer.

Thank you Fidelity Investments. Thank you TD Waterhouse. Thank you Business Week Online. And thank you every other company that helps pay for this extortion. [Editor's Note: Since publication of this article on May 20, Fidelity and TD Waterhouse have taken action; see explanation below].

You've probably heard of spyware, virus-like programs that are unknowingly downloaded by Web users. Spyware comes in several virulent forms. One notorious type, evil cousins of subscription sites like AOL and MSN, enable unknown predators to tap into your computer and gain access to private files.

This is the type of spyware that gets the most attention from media, and has been the source of some pending bills in Congress and various statehouses. It was also the fear of just such intrusive spyware that led to the backlash a couple weeks ago against Google's proposed GMail service.

iSearch represents another type of spyware, one that is more subtle, but ultimately no less destructive.

Trapped in Spyware Hell

iSearch works something like this: Some time during the course of surfing the Web, you unknowingly trip over the iSearch applet, which is instantly downloaded — without your knowing it — into your computer.

This program then does two things: 1) It orders your computer to permanently switch to .iSearch.com as your new home page, and 2) Covers its tracks, so that you can't simply go into your computer's utilities and replace it. You are now trapped.

The next time you go on the Web, expecting to see Google or Yahoo! or ABCNEWS.com as your home page, up pops the iSearch home page. There's also an iSearch toolbar on the top of your page. "What the H*#$*?" you mutter, figuring it's a mistake, and go on with your business — noting, with growing annoyance that suddenly you are getting a whole bunch of new pop-ups about stopping spyware, spam, etc.