Simple clear advice in plain English

PC help: Who watches the watchmen?

Why security software companies wouldn't steal your personal information

Q Being concerned about security on my computer, I run AVG, Windows Defender, Ad-Ware SE Personal, Spyware Terminator, Acronis Privacy Expert Suite, Spybot Search & Destroy, Ghostsurf and Anonymizer.

How do I know that they actually perform as expected and are keeping me safe, not stealing my personal information?
Geoffrey Evans

A In some respects there is no easy answer to this question as the only way to be truly sure would be to look at the programming code behind every program on your computer.

This is an impossible feat even if this information was made available by the software companies.

The practical answer is that there are lots of watchmen, all watching each other. If one security company discovered and proved that another had been stealing information they might win more customers.

So the presence of other companies keeps them all honest. The other help is in the form of enthusiast programmers who tinker with software to find out how it works. If they found any problems they would quickly report their findings. We keep a close eye on both of these sources and would reveal any wrongdoing immediately.

Reader Comments

   

Add your comment

All fields must be completed. Your email address will not be displayed or used to send marketing messages.

All messages will be checked by moderators before appearing on the site.

See our Privacy Policy for more information.

Related articles

Keep your PC up to date illustration

How healthy is your PC?

Do you think your PC's performance is lacking a certain something? We show you how to get your computer working to the best of its ability

Great software giveaway illustration

Discover 30 free software programs

Sound too good to be true? We've found some programs that are so good we're amazed there is no price tag. We cast our eye over 30 of the best

f-338-don-t-pay-for-security

Get free PC security software

Free security tools can keep your computer safe – we provide a list of free security software and explain how to get the programs that suit you best

Question & Answer

Q.How do I store musician and other information about...

> Read the answer

Q.Why can't my browser find the website address I typed...

> Read the answer

Q.All updates have been downloaded, so why won't Windows...

> Read the answer

Best deals on the web

img

Apple iMac 21.5" (MC309)

£929.00- Buy it now

img

Dell Inspiron 620 ST Intel Core i3-2100 3.10GHz / 3GB / 500GB / DVDRW / Win 7 Home Premium

£299.00- Buy it now

img

Dell Inspiron 620 (D006250)

£349.00- Buy it now

Great benefits for subscribers!

Poll

Which is your preferred web browser

Jargon Buster

Computing terms explained in plain English

VoIP

Voice over IP. The routing of voice conversations over the internet, which is cheaper than the telephone...

Great shopping deals from Computeractive