Mozilla: Is it Spyware?

Ever booted up your computer and found that the home page had changed overnight or experienced slower-than-normal connection speeds? It could be due to spyware, a type of software program that can gather your personal data, change your computer settings, and record every stroke of your keyboard without you ever being the wiser.

And spyware, like software of any kind, is available for many different reasons—from monitoring a consumers spending or internet surfing habits to maintaining records of employee activity while “on the clock”. But spyware isn’t usually a computer program that a company readily admits to having or using when talking to their employees or customers.

In fact, spyware is considered a serious computer security concern for businesses and individuals, alike. And companies who equip their computers purposefully with spyware programs risk alienating their employees and customers if it becomes known.

But spyware can be on web browsers that we use while surfing the internet; not just on company or personal computers. Mozilla, the company behind the web browser Firefox, could have spyware imbedded in it, gathering up data about sites visited and other information. And if so, such activity by them—or any other web browser product—would likely be motivated by the desire to increase profits.

The more inside information a company has about consumers’ internet habits, site preferences and online buying history, the better the company’s ability to estimate which ads to promote and more.

But given Mozilla’s Manifesto, available in 25 different languages, their use of spyware is not a likely possibility, since one of their key principles emphasizes internet security and their commitment to it.

In addition, another principle of Mozilla is their desire to promote processes that lend themselves to accountability and the development of trust on the World Wide Web.

That is just the opposite mindset of companies who choose to load their computers with spyware. Companies that engage in spyware have no such compulsion about developing trust between them and consumers or employees. And they don’t just monitor an employees’ use of the internet and the sites they visit; they sometimes monitor every keystroke they make.

This type of secretive surveillance is an example of distrust—in complete opposition to Mozilla’s call for more openness and mutual respect touted on their company website.

If Mozilla’s slogan is “Internet by the people for the people,” than it is a good bet that they don’t engage in spyware. After all, their whole company is built on the premise that trust is a critical component in a relationship and they want to earn their customers trust; not abuse it.

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