Over 10,000 reports of damage caused by automatic installations when downloading free software have been received until July. Personal information is coaxed forth through `spyware’. 
According to Korea Information Security Agency (KISA) on Oct. 10, damage by spyware reported through January till July has totaled 10,096 cases and is still expanding its damage range. 
(Omission) 
A KISA representative indicated, “When installing free software, users have the tendency of approving agreements while skipping the part about spyware installation. This is the reason why many users are unaware of their personal information leaking out through spyware they are also unaware of.” 
Well known software such as `Godzilla’, `MP3 Player 2000′, `Media Player’ and other free software have contain built-in spyware. 
There is a software that searches and removes spyware but some spyware detects this kind of software and attempts to remove spyware fails. 
The representative added, “If spyware technology is used with malicious intent, information of the user name, IP (Internet Protocol) address, Internet access history, ID and passwords and other personal information may be forwarded to somewhere else. Users must be cautious when agreeing with agreements of whether or not spyware installation is included.”. 

Source : Yonhap News Agency, Oct.10