Monitoring
Software FAQ
A Detailed Look at Monitoring Software
What is Spy Software?
Monitoring Software, which is commonly referred to as spy software, is a computer application that discreetly monitors and records activities of a computer system. This activity usually includes keystrokes, chats, emails and other Internet and local activity. Traditional spy software is designed to function on only one PC.
Selecting the correct type
of spy software to suit your needs is extremely
important. Most spy software packages are
designed to function on only one PC. In
order to monitor PCs on a network, a specific
type of software called network monitoring
software is required.
What is Network Spy Software?
Network Monitoring Software, which is commonly
referred to as Network Spy Software is monitoring
software designed to run on a network. This
software has the same basic functions as
spy software, but will functions on a network
of computers. A network supervisor accesses
the activity logs via a hidden and password
protected interface. This allows the administrator
to see exactly what users were doing while
they were logged into the network.
Regular spy software functions
in a way that monitors a single PC at a
time. Network Spy Software functions on
multiple PCs at once. All activity from
all computers within the network is stored
for later viewing. The network administrator
can monitor their entire network from one
central location.
What is A Keylogger?
The term keylogger refers to a computer
application that hides in the background
and records all keystrokes. The pre-cursor
to spy software, a keylogger is a very basic
monitoring solution. It records keystrokes
only, whereas spy software records much
more activity data such as keystrokes, chats,
web sites visited, applications ran, etc.
Why would I use Monitoring Software?
These types of software are useful for anyone
seeking the truth about what others are
doing on a computer. Employers use monitoring
software to keep an eye on what their employees
are doing while they are supposed to be
working. Parents who want to protect their
children online use monitoring software
to ensure their children's safety.
Are these Types of software legal?
Monitoring and spy software are completely
legal as long as the purchaser owns or has
proper authority over the computer and adult
users (such as employees) are notified that
they are being monitored. Notifying an employee
can be as simple as signing a form about
Acceptable Internet Use indicating that
activities can be monitored.
Installing this type of
software on a computer that the purchaser
does not own could be a violation of federal
or state law. When spy software is purchased
the purchaser agrees that the computer it
will be installed on is his or her own computer.
In the case of a business, an authorized representative of the company can purchase software to install on the company system. If you don't have proper authorization from your company to install monitoring software on company PC's, then you cannot install monitoring software legally in any case.
What if I don't have a network?
If you do not have a network but are interested in learning more about spy software for single computers, please visit the web site of our flagship product, AceSpy Computer Spy Software. AceSpy.com features more answers to general questions about standard computer spy software.