| |
| |
|
Software Information |
|
|
|
S is for Spying, Surveillance -- and for Software as Well
Words we choose to describe things and phenomena often show our attitude towards what we say. They imperceptibly reflect our opinions and judgments, prejudices and preferences, moral convictions and beliefs. Whether we like it or not, good deal of words we use are biased, or should I say "slanted", --positively or negatively. Two people will call the same thing differently, depending on their points of view. Look at this example: "Monitoring", "surveillance", "control", "data interception", "gathering evidence of wrongdoing" -- on the one hand; "sleuthing", "spying", "eavesdropping", "snooping", "peeping", "prying", "tapping"--on the other. A neutral "information gathering device" vs. negatively loaded "bug"--choice of words clearly shows whether we approve or disapprove it. If you feel you have right to do so, you are "monitoring my kids' online behavior"; your resentful kids, however, might think you are to poking your nose into their lives. The same at work--but here it is you who is the person under surveillance, and your opinion might differ from the CEO's, who probably thinks that "workplace surveillance software improves employees' performance and prevents violations of security policy and corporate code of conduct" (or something similar). Most of arguments on this issue start right here; the crucial point is whether those who perform monitoring are authorized to do so. Computer monitoring and email monitoring have been in the limelight for several years, and public interest is not going to fade. The very issue of monitoring is extremely complicated. Here technical matters become directly connected with wide range of political, legal, economic and moral issues. The data interception technology has everything to do with a wide range of very serious matters--from identity theft to various aspects of national security. The problem is that this technology is a double-edged sword. Software used for parental control or workplace surveillance often apply the same mechanisms as malicious programs used for data stealing and plain spying. But there are differences. These two specific program functions are typical to spy programs: First, preliminary configuration of the monitoring module (it is usually called "client" or "agent") is possible, with a compiled executable file as a result. This file, when installed, doesn't display any messages or create windows on the screen. It "hides itself" and "shows no signs of life". It is impossible to notice whether the particular PC is being secretly monitored or not. Of course, the user is not aware of being spied - until the consequences show up. Second, spy software always has built-in means of remote installation; as a rule, the pre-configured module (agent) is installed into the target PC remotely. Then the files with obtained information are sent via local network or emailed to the person who installed the spy program. Last, but not least - spyware is always used illicitly and behind the user's back - here monitoring is performed by a person who has no right for it. Unlike spyware, legally used monitoring programs are seldom used furtively. Though in many states it is officially permitted not to let employees know about monitoring, companies--especially large ones--rarely make a secret out of it. Remove these two functions - and you will get a monitoring program instead of spy software. If it is impossible to pre-configure the monitoring module and install it remotely; if you should have administrator privilege to install the program, it is monitoring software, not spyware. As we can see, monitoring products in themselves are neither good nor bad. Compare them with a knife--one may use it both for cutting cheese and for stabbing a neighbor to death. Tool is only a tool, but be careful--this one is of a dangerous kind. Alexandra Gamanenko currently works at Raytown Corporation, LLC--an independent monitoring and anti-monitoring software developing company. Its products are based on innovative technologies the company's R&D department developed. Learn more--visit the company's website http://www.softsecurity.com/
MORE RESOURCES:
Software - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Groove Network. Are you in it? If you are in a business that passes documents around to be reviewed and edited over and over before they are ready to be posted for advertising or for a client, then you have probably already heard of a software solution to help keep your "floating" documents organized from Groove Network. You may not be aware that there is another option out there. What to Do if All Screensavers Fun is Grayed Out? Finally, you have some time to personalize your desktop with an interesting screensaver. But wait. Constructionalist Parsing - Deciphering Natural Language The research in the field of Natural Language Processing usually assumes the existence of a syntactic "Generative Engine" that combines words and word-like elements into syntactic structures, and then sometimes displaces them by "syntactic movement". A Linguistic Parser must "undo" all the effects of syntactic movement, which results in a structure where the relations between the words are represented more directly. These Items Are A Must Before Making The Decision To Purchase Any Off-The-Shelf Software 1. What determines the software price? Is it Per Seat or Per User or Per Processor?The cost of software is determined in many ways. Bill of Lading - Custom Reporting for Microsoft Great Plains - Overview for Consultant Bill of Lading is required report for Logistics and Freight Forwarding companies. If you are looking at Freight Forwarding software, targeted to automate transportation business - Bill of Lading with multiple custom forms should be present there. Software Development in 2005 - Back to the Future 2005 - Back to the Future.What does the future hold? A big question and initially the answer is anything and everything. Razzle Dazzle Them Once upon a time not so long ago, there was a little boy who went to the market to try to sell his wares. He wasn't having any luck. HSphere Control Panel Tips and Tricks - Power At Your Fingertips: Part 1 The first topic we are going to discuss is email. HSPHERE (the software running the control panel) offers many useful functions including mail forwarding, auto responders and a mail list manager. Microsoft Great Plains eCommerce - Stored Procedures Approach Since Version 8.0 Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains & Great Plains Standard are available on Microsoft SQL Server and MSDE (which is in fact MS SQL with database size limit of 2GB). Microsoft Great Plains Integrations - Retail Management Sample Microsoft Business Solutions is emerging as very attractive vendor for mid-size companies. The strength of its products is in their cross integration potential. OS 101: Suggestions for Choosing an Operating System An operating system (abbreviated OS) is essentially the path through which a computer accesses files, games, the Internet, and all vital stored information. The OS is the most important program on a computer because it runs all of the other programs. Enterprise Resource Planning Overview ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Overview covers What is ERP, Brief history of ERP, Why is it necessary, Market Leaders and the future of ERP.What is ERP?Enterprise Resource Planning or ERP is an industry term for integrated, multi-module application software packages that are designed to serve and support multiple business functions. What Stands Behind The Software Description? With thousands of web pages added to the Net every day, it's getting more and more frustrating both to submit the information to the attention of those, who are interested in it and to find the information one needs.The problem is even aggravated with the fact that customers become more exigent to the products they are offered. Navision Attain C/ODBC Crystal Report - Customization Example Microsoft Business Solutions Navision is main ERP application for European, Brazilian markets plus it serves vertical segments of the USA market, such as light manufacturing, POS, CRM. As our experience indicates - Navision implementation requires more customization and tuning in comparison to another mid-market ERP solution from MBS: Microsoft Great Plains. Linux vs Windows Operating Systems With so many Microsoft Windows related viruses, errors, and other software problems, many average computer users are looking at alternative operating system platforms, such as Linux. It is important that users, frustrated with Windows, don't simply install a version of Llinux without knowing what they are in for. How To Develop Software For Your Business Software development is a risky business.Many software developers are barely skilled at their trade, much less at business. Three Steps To Windows Safety Heaven Now there are Three Steps To Heaven Just listen and you will plainly see How virus and hackers attack and destroy Your precious internet-connected computer toy Just follow steps one, two and threeStep one - Run windows update automatically each day Step Two - Always keep your antivirus running and updated Step Three - Install and configure a firewallFaster VirusToday can many viruses find and infect a computer connecting to internet in less then 5 minutes, even if the computer connects to internet using a modem. And how much time will the 24/7 connected computer not give the bad guys?So leaving a computer without proper protection is not advisable. Falling in Love With More Than One Screensaver: The Fun Part Having from five to ten and more favorite screensavers is cool. But how do you enjoy them all in a straightforward and convenient way? Draw the power you need from the little yet useful tools discussed in this article!As you remember, earlier in my article What to Do if You Fall in Love With More Than One Screensaver we discussed the standard way of switching between multiple screensavers. Microsoft Great Plains Data Conversion - Overview For Developer Looks like Microsoft Great Plains becomes more and more popular, partly because of Microsoft muscles behind it. Now it is targeted to the whole spectrum of horizontal and vertical market clientele. Does Microsoft have any real competition? Does Microsoft Have any Real Competition? Copyright (c) 2003 Gregory S. Diehl In a word, yes.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
