Will there ever be an end to spyware? Not according to our research. The news stories that follow are hot of the press — indicating a trend that shows no intentions of slowing down. At best, we can only protect our systems while we wait to see the end fate of these miserable hazards.

Spyware is IT pros’ greatest fear (TechWorld)

Viruses are soooo 2004. Spyware was IT professionals’ biggest security concern in 2007, according to a survey by the Computer Technology Industry Association.

Cyber spies plan attacks next year (Silicon.com)

McAfee: It’s the biggest security threat

Scammers getting smarter, sneakier (The Huntsville Times)

An e-mail Christmas card arrived the other day. I opened it. Who knew that was a mistake? Michele McDaniel knew. The president of the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama spends her professional life keeping up with the latest scams.

Client-Side Vulnerabilities Loom Large (New York Times)

Holes in so-called client-side applications, including Web browsers, e-mail clients, productivity suites, and media players, have become particularly worrisome over the last year.

BBB Online Shopping (WMBB TV Panama City)

Privacy issues, ID theft top concerns for online shoppers

Online shoppers must beware of ‘phishing’ (The Wichita Eagle)

Just in time for the online holiday shopping rush, high-tech Grinches are cranking up their fraud attacks with a new round of bogus e-mail, identity-theft experts say. Have you won $2 million in a Christmas sweepstakes held by Coca-Cola in the United Kingdom? Can you make big bucks just by cashing checks for an Irish researcher, Chinese exporter or rich oil consultant in Dubai?