Spy Software Definitions

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Spy Software:
Also known as Computer Monitoring Software, is used to monitor or record all activities occurring on a users computer. This software is installed directly by the user wanting to perform the monitoring - rather than hiding it on top of another software installation. Spy software can be loaded intentionally by the purchaser of the software, or from an attachment in an email. Spy software can be configured to alert the user they are being monitored, or it can run totally invisible to the user. Spy software can record nearly every aspect of what a user does on their computer - but it is never reported to anyone else but the actual purchaser of the software.

Keylogger:
A device or a spy software that causes every keystroke made on the computer to be recorded. The keylogger records everything the user types in, including emails, documents, login names, passwords etc.

Spy Hardware:
Hardware key loggers are commercially available devices which come in three types: inline devices that are attached to the keyboard cable, devices which can be installed inside standard keyboards, and actual replacement keyboards that contain the key logger already built-in.

Employee Monitoring Software:
This is spy software specifically designed to monitor employee computer activity. Some will filter out certain web use unrelated to work.

Child Monitoring Software:
Spy software specifically designed to monitor children's computer activity, and likely filter out certain sites unsuitable for children.

Spouse Monitoring Software:
Monitoring software designed to monitor children's computer activity, and likely filter out certain sites unsuitable for children.

Remote Spy Software:
This means the spy software can be accessed remotely. Therefore the software reports can be viewed from any where in the world.

Network Monitoring Software:
Allows you to monitor an entire network of computers. This is used for employee network monitoring, student networks, classroom networks and others.

Spyware
Spy software is often confused with being the same thing as spyware. Also know as Adware, spyware is software technology that gathers information about a computer user with or without their knowledge. Typically, this type of spyware is also known as adware. This software is often installed along with other software installations - it piggybacks onto your system - usually without you knowing at all. This software then reports back what websites you frequent, what your interests are, demographic information, and more to the creators of the spyware. This information is then sold to marketing companies and other interested parties.