There is a new spyware program out there that has one-two punch. First it secretly alters your search results on Google and then tries to drop unwanted programs on your computer by luring you to a bogus eBay link. Can you say, "Yuk?" While I myself am successful in keeping these intrusive programs off my computers, I cannot remember how many times I have had to fix the kids' computer at home because of these nasty little programs.

That program called "2search" as documented by security software vendor Webroot Software Inc., hijacks Google searches by presenting fake results in the midst of the legitimate ones. The pages shown look near identical to Google's organic SERPs so most searchers are completely unaware.

The article goes on the say, "As if that weren't enough, one of the fake results Webroot researchers recently saw seemed to be leading to product auctions on eBay. Webroot researchers could not say who was behind the eBay links, but they suspected what they were offering was more "spyware".

So why would the creators of spy software be lurking in the shadows of Google and eBay?

"If you had a Web site that said, 'Hey, get your spyware here,' no one would go to it," said Paul Piccard, Webroot's director of threat research. "So they look for ways to confuse or fool the user and make sure they are willing to download the spyware."

Surf the Internet cautiously I say. Be careful what you click on. Make sure you have anti-virus software running behind the scenes and that it is kept up to date. You may also want to install a Spy Sweeper program. I use Spy Sweeper myself and it is amazing what it finds each time I run it. I also block all cookies except from sites I specifically add to my "allowed" list. No doubt these programs will continue to abound and look for even more sneaky ways to infiltrate our computers. Until stricter laws are passed to deal with these computer pests, we will simply have to fight back by being ever so cautious.