The average personal computer has 26 secretly-installed spyware programs, which monitor user actions and can collect information such as credit card numbers, a survey by the Internet service provider EarthLink finds.

EarthLink surveyed more than three million systems this year and found 83 million copies of spyware. It said spyware is a serious problem for Internet users, but that awareness and concern by consumers is rising.

California recently became the first government to adopt a law aimed at stopping such secret programs.

EarthLink distributes free spyware detectors to its customers. Several Web sites also offer free spyware detectors.

Source:  Secure Agent Software's eNewsletter Volume 221