Spy Software
 

I have been looking for some spy software. I am trying to find a remotely deployable one but i don't want to spend $80 because i'm not really using it for anything important, just screwing around mostly. So i was wondering if anyone knew where i could find a free version of one.

What do you mean by 'spy' software? You want to spy on someone's computer?

If so, that's hacking. Under the new 9/11 laws, you could be sent for life imprisionment for any form of hacking. Are you sure you want this "spy" software now?

Also this thread would be closed for promoting illegal activity.

If you own the computer, then it is perfectly legal to remotely spy on a person using it. There are many programs that allow you to do it... if you are looking for freeware you might want to try C|Net Downloads. Anything you get from C|Net is not remotely deployable.

Anything that is remotely deployable (without the owner's consent via EULA) is considered a Trojan, and is illegal.

yeah, what he said.


check download.com or search google.

Well he is partly correct. While spying is kind of bad, it may or may not be legal. Depends on the terminology you want to use. Many companies monitor, employees activities to make sure they are doing the right stuff. Schools usually employ software that can monitor students activities. However if you are planning to implant is as a virus, and use it to see what they are doing, than yes that is illegal. No, and hacking is not life in prison, it is most of the times, 5 years and a fine, of course that depends on what you hack into. The only time when that is legal if you have a wire-tap order issued by the courts.

The only spy software that I know of that is remotely free, is one of those programs that takes Jpeg screen shots that run in the background. But those are easy to spot, because you will eventually notice that your hard drive files will be getting larger and larger, without you doing anything. Then finding the programs would be easily shut down. I forgot the names on them but you can find them at download.com, tucows.com, and so on.

Actually, I am fully correct, you just read it wrong.

1. Connecting to a person's computer without their authorization is a form of hacking. It is a fact of violating their property. Companies can monitor a computer's usage because they own the computer. It is, in fact, illegal to videotape employees working for the sole purpose of spying on them, so this is the next best thing. They are only monitoring how their property is being used. Essentially, they are doing usage statistics.

2. Key word I said is could. The new 9/11 laws establish a maximum penalty for hacking as life imprisionment. This just means that if someone does something extremely bad they can send them to prison for life, chances are for something like this (if the person ever complains/finds out), you'll just get a slap on the wrist and a small fine.


I don't feel like digging up legal documents right now...

hmm, this brings up an interesting paradox then...

http://www.nbhackers.com/articles/art5.html

no, i don't frequent that site, but i found it on another message board i go to.

if you read that, you know about mircrosoft's new OS. it is basically the ultimate spyware tool. <cough>BIG BROTHER</cough>. sorry, a bit congested there ;). but, under these laws, can MS legally have an embedded OS that 'hacks' into your computer to play around with anythign stored on it? that's considered hacking today, so why is it suddenly the buisness plan of a major US corporation? am i the only one completely confused by this whole thing?

i think it's time i finally bought myself a linux book and tried to learn me some linux...

Spy software can also refer to the software you use to stop "hackers" and other people trying to get into your computer. Spyware has been used to refer to the software that you use to stop little bugs in your computer to get rid of little programs that send back info to corparations or other individuals....I would personally go for the usage of anti-spyware software....

in response to Ian:

I can't believe this...if this goes through practically everyone who seriously knows how to use a computer will have their capabilities wiped out by this thing. This is basically a media controller. Jeez, if this is the future of computing I may have to rethink my career....

But I really don't think this will happen, just because of the amount of people this will affect negtaively and that it potentially could be illegal. But then, I have nothing to back up that statement.

The whole computer industry is just being to @#$!$@#$!$@#$!$@#$!$ controlling...they should all just make their product and sell it, not try to control the file formats and such. That, IMO, is going a bit too far.

Oh well, good news is that hackers all over will probably be so pissed off it will get hacked to bits pretty quick, even if it is hardwired, there will always be some way around it. There wouldn't ever be any way microsoft could control everyone's computer, and also it seems like this would create a monopoly...but then I also have little knowledge of either of these two subjects.

Yeah, this "Palladium" is now synonymous with "Satan" in my vocabulary. If I was using it, I probably wouldn't ba able to type that.

Ian:

It's not considered hacking because they'll have it saying in the License Agreement that it will contact that server and what it does, etc.

Ever read that EULA? Read it next time, it pretty much screws you outta everything.

Yeah, in order to get this they will probably have it in the end user license agreement that they can get on and do whatever they want. :(

yes, but i was under the impression that forcing a user to upgrade to the newest software just to take their money is not right. also the fact that if i wanted to buy a AMD chip to run my linux computer, i would have to somehow get around the crazy MS crap. also, i've never seen a EULA on a CPU before, so that's something new. usually you buy the CPU to run the programs, not for it to scream at you that your programs are 'out of date' and 'need to be upgraded' so that MS can steal even more money from you.

But that's where new products succeed most: In times of necessity.

For instance... the new Lindows OS. They claim that they will be able to support all Windows applications. If they can successfully pull this off, they will have successfuly dug themselves into a niche, where they are poised to make a lot of money.

but the lindows OS does not prevent me from running other OSes, nor does it tell me that i must buy a new version of office, just so microsoft can make more money. granted, microsoft is carving themselves out a niche, but they're killing everything else, and i'm pretty sure that's not only illegal under US law, but would piss off quite a few people.

This may be a bit off-topic but...
 

Sorry, you all are really pissing me off. Using a trojan is NOT hacking. It's not even cracking. Yes they're illegal, unless you own the computer. Using a trojan will usually not get you into too much trouble either, unless you do serious harm. You'll get a slap on the wrist, and that's IF you get caught. Don't even bother with it. Don't 'spy' on people without probable cause.

Some more griping...

Despite popular belief, hacking isn't bad.

From the fingertips of open-source guru Eric Raymond.... "Hackers solve problems and build things, and they believe in freedom and voluntary mutual help. "

Sure you may be saying "hacker" just because it's easier to say and everyone knows what you're talking about, but that doesn't mean it's right. I could say everyone in FIRST is a untidy geek who has no friends and spends all their free time watching Star Trek and working out theorums (which is true for a lot of you) but that doesnt mean its true for everyone involved with FIRST, even though thats what a lot of people think.

Yes I know I may have been a bit harsh, but I get really uptight when people blatently misuse terms like this. Yes I am a hacker. No I don't do anything illegal. Yes I am now done with my rant.