Blueyonder have sent me a wonderful email today. All I can say is I’m amazed that they have the temerity to send this mail out now, after months of inactivity, and seemingly not giving a rat’s ass about the hundreds of spywared, virused, trojaned zombie spamnet MS Windows PCs connected to their network.

Dear Customer,

Recently, Telewest have received a significant number of calls from our customers about a security threat called Spyware, which can cause poor performance of your Internet connection and hinder your online experience.

Spyware is software that gathers information on your Internet usage. It often installs itself on your PC without your knowledge, usually disguised within software you have downloaded

(p0rn)

or hidden behind web pages you have viewed.

As this software runs on your PC, it can cause slow performance whilst you access the Internet, but also a number of other issues including:

* Redirecting you to websites you hadn’t intended to visit
* Installing toolbars in your browser (e.g. Internet Explorer)
* Generating “pop-up” windows
* Monitoring key strokes you make to try and capture your passwords or credit card information
* Installing “rogue dialler” software that can cause you to dial a number you hadn’t intended to, often at a premium rate.

Whilst Spyware is a serious issue that causes problems for Internet users, there are counter measures that can be taken to protect your computer.

We recommend that you run up to date anti-Spyware software, as covered on our website:

http://www.blueyonder.co.uk/spyware

Once you have installed anti-Spyware software, you should run it frequently (at least once a week), and also you should install firewall and anti-virus software

Please note: Spyware is not a matter covered by the blueyonder broadband service and hence our technical support team cannot assist you with regard to the use or support of Spyware removal tools.

We also won’t do anything about disconnecting you, so everyone suffers. Ha! Spam away, losers!

However, our PC Help team is available should you require further assistance.

At a suitably large fee…….

Lines are open between 11am and midnight, 7 days a week. Call 0906 991 0001 (Calls charged at £1 per minute. Calls from mobiles may be higher).

Regards,

The team at blueyonder