The rather sad fact, according to recent research is that 55% of UK PCs are infected with spyware. The most prevalent infection is "adware," software code that may hijack your home page, create unwanted pop-ups and install bookmarks. Generally this is irritating rather than terminal however the most malicious code lurks hidden on your PC ready to steal confidential information such as passwords and login information.

Common vectors for sypware (i.e. where it comes from) are file sharing sites ( e.g. peer to peer networks). Some websites however exploit security loopholes in Internet Explorer. What should you do:

Use anti spyware software such as the excellent Spyware Doctor. Use upto date anti virus software. Install all Windows security patches. Use a personal firewall e.g. ZoneAlarms excellent free version. Use a spam filter e.g. Mailwasher Pro. But above all use common sense when exploring the Internet.

The time is fast approaching when minute RFID tags will proliferate. The advantages of storing relevant digital information on cheap disposable tags that can be remotely read by computer will inevitably overwhelm concerns over privacy and other issues but there are downsides:

Imagine you have just purchased for your partner an expensive gift from a jeweller. An hour later you are walking back to the car when muggers waylay you and steal the gift. Were you just unlucky, did they follow you for an hour or did they access the RFID device attached to the gift. The police check with the store who confirm that they use RFID tags but that the data is encrypted so the muggers could not have known what you bought or where you bought it. The store however is wrong. Deep within the tag is the logic that manages anti collision i.e. when a number of tags are read at once. The design gives off a unique radio signal that can be read by sensitive devices. The data was encrypted but the muggers knew you had something from the specific jewellers as they are known to use that type of chip.

The simple answer is to take home the gift but not the tag!

Due credit to BT for eventually (after much kicking and screaming) rolling out ADSL to most exchanges. Their stalled upgrade programme was rejuvenated following an innovative contract with OneNorthEast the UK's North East Regional Development Agency. The problem with ADSL is that with its severely restricted upload speeds it is not true broadband.

SDSL offers true broadband but BT's exchange enablement programme has once again stalled so it is not yet widely available. BT cite lack of demand but do not seem to have connected this with the ridiculously high monthly charge of typically £150 per month. This is simply to big a step up for most users.

The dramatic increase in the use of broadband in the last two years has given rise to a resurgence in Voice over IP technology (Voip) i.e. using the Internet to make voice calls. Voip has come a long way in the last few years, reliability and quality has significantly improved and there are a good number of options to choose from. Some e.g. Skype require a PC to be connected whilst others such as "mynumber4life" offers dedicated IP phones that just need a broadband connection. Calls from one IP phone or PC to another are typically "free" (or included in a basic subscription) whereas calls to and from landlines and mobiles may have a cost.

Quite obviously the telecom companies are less than pleased as these "free" calls are a huge potential threat to their revenue. They are likely to be highly delighted therefore that Verso.com has developed "carrier grade filtering technology" aimed at detecting and blocking "bandwidth drains" such as Skype. It is too early to call but perhaps the telcos will stage a fight back to reclaim their bandwidth, which is to say the bandwidth you have paid for!