I'm in the Anti-Spyware business, and I'm doing a lot of advertising to promote my website, but here I am online and on the phone, giving my personal information to.....who? Strangers basically, Geez! The majority of identity thefts occur thru contractors employing people in entry-level jobs that have not been properly screened. Not even Hackers,Phishers or Dumpster Divers account for as many! The ideal location for a Identity stealer would be in a out sourced agency that fails to use adequate screening processes.

I've read many articles lately that state we need stricter guidelines and procedures to insure we have proper security as consumers. A set of universal rules that would be adhered to by all. To even think of the enormous complexity of this project staggers the mind!

So here I am, I want to take a advertisement out at a prestigious magazine that is published in a traditional print paper and online. I may have to deal with people online and on the phone.I give my name, address, phone number, andmy credit card number! EGAD, what am I doing?

Then my common sense and education about matters such as these kicks in and I rationalize that these companies would not be in business if they couldnt keep their customers happy. But,accidents happen.

So you see my dilemma. I know computer security and Spyware, and the vulnerabilities and strengths when dealing online. Its just a little new to me to trust, when I know the ramifications to me personally if my Identity were to be used for ill-gotten gain.

I know after all these years of being a, OK I admit it, a slightly paranoid online user, that I need to make myself a little vunerable so I can better succeed in my online business.

Ive been where the people who contact me asking for help are; a place in their minds of anger, frustration and helplessness.

But then as I said earlier, common sense and education about Spyware wins over and I take a deep breath and go on.

The California Attorney General has a excellent website for Identity Theft at http://caag.state.ca.us/idtheft/

Doug Woodall

No newcomer to Spyware, Doug Woodall has 12 years of experience. He has been online since 1993. Presented with a Commodore 64 for his Birthday in 1983, it didn?t take long for him to become hooked to the online world. There was no Internet then, he says, just Bulletin Board Services. "Today I see a lot of headlines about Identity Theft and I wonder why?" questions Doug. "Education is the key when using the Internet. Your personal information is your property, why give it away to someone who will use it for financial gain?" "The question I get most often is, 'Why is my computer so slow?' You should see the look on their face when I tell them it?s probably Spyware." Doug Woodall has recently put together a Website called SpywareBiz to provide free information and recommended products to combat Spyware. He started SpywareBiz to help educate and protect those who are unaware of the dangers online. A new out of the box computer put online without proper protection can be compromised in less than 20 minutes! He is a member of the IWA (International Webmasters Association) and he also runs a Blog where users can post problems and questions concerning Spyware. Doug's site has already won several awards, including the Elite Learning Fountain Award. Accessibility of information is a important aspect of Doug's Website. His expertise in trouble-shooting Spyware is available at his site, SpywareBiz.com Doug believes education is paramount concerning Spyware. At his site he provides the latest free information and recommended products that he hopes will provide the answers his visitors are looking for.