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Download.com users are no strangers to the frightening world of spyware. Each week, we'll share a new reader tale of spyware woe, so check back frequently for each terrifying episode.

Spyware that steals your identity

I thought I had all the spyware protection I needed. I checked for updates and scanned all downloads for viruses, making myself feel safe installing them. Unfortunately, I was totally ignorant about Trojan horses, keyloggers, and dialers.

I downloaded a "freeware" program recommended by two friends, then checked it with Norton AntiVirus. With ZoneAlarm Pro running, I presumed nothing could get through. However, my computer slowed down after I installed the program. I telephoned both friends and learned their machines had also crashed after slowing down for a few weeks.

I bought a computer magazine with information about the nasty things that can get into one's machine and the programs that get rid of them. When I next turned on my computer, my desktop was different and Norton was corrupted. With an installation copy of Norton saved to disk, I removed the old copy and reinstalled the program. Then I went to Download.com to get the recommended antispyware programs, feeling sick when I discovered what was on my computer.

The next time I scanned, only a few of the antispyware programs hadn't been corrupted, and Norton and ZoneAlarm were once again useless. Fortunately, I hadn't made any Internet purchases or visited any secure sites for some time. On the second day of working offline and after removing the dialer, I found my printer files had been corrupted. I then went through my entire computer; files were vanishing in front of my eyes. I turned the computer off and telephoned a repair shop.

I had to have my computer flattened and the disk scrubbed. Being lazy, I hadn't saved some very important files to disk, and I lost everything.

Eventually, I purchased the best antispyware programs. Although my friends say I'm overprotected, these utilities have detected and removed every nasty bit of spyware I've encountered. I need more than one antispyware program because I've found one will detect what another has missed. By purchasing a license, you also get customer support. I use a combination of free and for-pay programs now.

One of my friends was a victim of identity fraud through dialers. Comparatively, I was lucky.

--Gareth
Hebden Bridge, U.K.

Are the friends who say you're too protected the same ones who caused you to download this evil software in the first place? The point is, when it comes to spyware, there's no such thing as being overprotected. As you correctly point out, one antispyware application may catch a critter another misses.

Otherwise, this is definitely a bloodcurdling tale, as identity theft and possible financial fraud are about the worst things that can happen to Web surfers and downloaders. It does seem somewhat curious this keylogger slipped past ZoneAlarm Pro, but you made a smart call by not visiting any secure sites until you were positive your machine was clean. Call us paranoid, but we might even suggest running multiple spyware scans before visiting any page on which you'll be entering sensitive information. After all, you can't put a price on peace of mind.

--Download.com editors

Got your own spyware horror story you'd like to share? Let us hear it.