Can 'Legit' Spyware Harm You?

"If you're going to use these tools of technology you've got to understand the risks associated with them," he said. "Spyware is not the root of the problem. It's people's understanding of the technology, the risks they face and their ability to protect themselves."

The latest study by the Federal Trade Commission indicates that, in 2005, 8.3 million Americans were victims of identity theft. According to the FTC, most victims don't know how their identities were stolen, online or elsewhere.

For Kirsch and Anderton's accusers, only time will tell exactly what happened and how (or whether) Spector was used.

Sweeney estimated that it will take several weeks to cull through all the electronic data discovered, to determine "what's illegitimate on it and what's legitimate on it."

"We're going to have to just surf through it and find out what we've got," he said.