What is the point of it? I assume the point is to monitor your
communications, so as to see what websites you visit. But what is the point
of this? Can the spyware programs grab your e-mail in some way and so send
you spam? How can this be the case?

"Mr. Splodger's Hairy Fetid Gangrene-Eating Wench" <quip@booger.com> schrieb
im Newsbeitrag news:cqetg5$4p8$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...
http://web.interhack.com/publications/spyware_intro.php (read all links)

http://www.itsecurity.com/papers/alladin2.htm

http://www.intranetjournal.com/spyware/index.html

and there are TONS more.

Mr. Splodger's Hairy Fetid Gangrene-Eating Wench wrote:

Marketing. The point of marketing has *always* been to know the
consumer more intimately, and be able to specifically tailor the
advertisement.
But the people installing the spyware that slows your system don't
send you mail. They sell your information *to* the people that send you
the spam.
While it's possible, in theory, to install spyware that could 'read'
your mail; that's not how 'they'd' usually do business. The business
model is to monitor your browsing, and to provide advertisements that
are related. Even the 'good guys' that do this 'transparently' with a
service that you may have chosen, like "Google Ads" do this, as a
significant part of their revenue. It's sort of like watching network TV
for free, because there are commercials.
Even the snaky spyware that gets installed on some people's systems
rely on the same 'contract'. But they hide, disguise, or otherwise trick
the consumer into accepting their 'agreements'. Nine times out of ten;
someone has 'chosen' to install spyware on their own computer, just
because they didn't bother to read all of the license agreement before
they clicked "OK".
--
"And often thought they were getting something for nothing."

"trout" <me2@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:332fjnF3shtqiU1@individual.net...
sell to those who send spam?

Mr. Splodger's Hairy Fetid Gangrene-Eating Wench wrote:

Mainly 'registration'. Any number of offers: for 'free' programs
(particularly 'trial' versions') or 'contests', or subscriptions to
newsletters, or 'future offers', etc.
The commodity is a valid email address. That's why a company can
make money (for example) by sending out any kind of crap at random, and
including an 'unsubscribe' link. You may receive something via a
'dictionary', or 'phone book' mailing; that is a wide scatter-shot at
addresses that *could* be valid.
They'll cheerfully lie, saying "you have received this
because....blah blah, and if it's a mistake, click this link to
unsubscribe". And the link that's clicked does nothing more than confirm
that your address is valid, and saleable.
There *are* a few rules that can protect the public from these
predators. The spammers continue to do a good business, mainly, because
of the ignorance and gullibility of the general public.
--
"Like in the movies. Where the vampire can't come in. Until some dumbass
invites them."