Suspicious spouses using spyware to breathe down partner's neck

Melbourne, Feb 1 (UNI) Does your significant other not trust you and suspect your fidelity? Here is a word of caution.

You need to be on your guard as the mistrust of integrity can lead to all your online moves being monitored and controlled by a spyware.

Nasty computer spywares are not just being used by hackers for stealing personal data like passwords and credit card details but also by suspicious spouses and parents to monitor and control web activities of their partners and children.

''With so much of our lives dependent on computers and other technologies such as cell phones, the use of spyware is ideal for abusers, who often feel the need to control all aspects of a victims existence,'' Anna Stepanov, manager of the anti-spyware program at McAfee Avert Labs, said.

Monitoring a victim's online, cell phone, or general computing activity is of more value than ever in controlling or hurting a victim, The Age quoted her as saying.

Spyware stalking is being considered the most blatant form of stalking creating domestic violence situation for the one whose moves are observed and controlled.

One commercially available software package, Spector, promised to covertly monitor and record all emails, chats, keystrokes, website visits, search entries and even activity on specific sites. A digital surveillance tape feature can play back a visual, step-by-step walkthrough of every activity performed on the computer.

UNI XC SYU DB1026