Spy program for computer/laptop and how to protect yourself - TOP 6

Bogdan Vyazovsky 05/16/2019

Many PC users running one of Windows often require programs that monitor the computer .

Such people most often are bosses at various levels, who subordinate from several people to several dozen and even hundreds of employees working mainly in offices and stores, jealous husbands or wives (girls or boys), and parents of children.

In the modern world, it is quite difficult to monitor what a person does on the Internet on a smartphone, but it is much easier to monitor a user’s actions on a PC that is accessed by several people.

Let's look at seven applications that will help collect data about the user's activity on a computer running Windows.

We do not compile a top list, do not evaluate applications and choose the best, but only invite you to familiarize yourself with the latest spyware, which is regularly updated and supports Windows 10.

For your information! Spying on someone’s actions on a computer is an interference in a person’s personal life, so you shouldn’t do it unless absolutely necessary, and if you decide to take such a step, be sure to notify everyone you follow about it.

Neo Spy

The Neo Spy developers have worked hard to expand the functionality of this program as much as possible. The list of available functions, even in the free version, will satisfy the most demanding user. What spying features are available:

1. Monitoring the user’s computer activity, startup time and duration of programs.
2. The “keylogger” function reads the order of keystrokes and then saves them to a file. The document displays everything that the user typed - correspondence, passwords, entered data.
3. Screenshots of the monitor are another opportunity to detail information about the user’s work. Standard settings allow you to take screenshots from the screen with a frequency of 1 image per 12 seconds (acceptable minimum 1.2 seconds), while drawing the behavior of the cursor. Online screen viewing is also available.
4. Connect to a webcam if the Internet is available. This is an excellent opportunity for security functions, parental control, and monitoring the actions of service personnel.
5. Reports on sites visited by the user.
6. Tracking the GPS coordinates of the device (laptop, smartphone, tablet) on which Neo Spy is installed. This option will allow you to know at any time the location of your loved ones or employees. If the device is stolen, its location can be tracked, and the thief's face can be photographed or recorded on video.

This is only partial functionality of one of the best spy programs, according to users. According to the strong recommendations of the Neo Spy developers, when establishing control over employees, the latter must be notified. This is done for ethical reasons, of course. Prices, depending on the version, range from 820-1990 rubles.

Advantages of Neo Spy:

• wide functionality;
• Russified interface;
• absolutely hidden mode of operation.

Option two – keyloggers and videologgers

Keyloggers allow you to monitor actions on an employee’s computer by recording the activity of input devices. To put it simply, the software records all mouse clicks and all key presses on the keyboard, even recording the time of pressing. All this wealth is saved in a log file, which is automatically sent to the control PC via e-mail, FTP, HTTP or wireless connection. There are enough examples - SC-KeyLog, Ardamax Keylogger, Actual Spy, etc.

Videologgers work differently - they take screenshots of the screen or record videos from the desktop. They are usually activated with a certain frequency or when an employee performs actions that the administrator setting up the program considered “suspicious”. There are a lot of examples, there are targeted solutions (like EMCO Remote Screenshot), and there are multitasking programs with the function of hidden recording of screenshots and videos (LiteManager, etc.).

Keyloggers and video loggers can work in stealth mode, that is, the employee will not know that his actions are being recorded. There are ready-made commercial applications, but you can also use a home-written program if you have a specialist on hand who can handle its development.

Real Spy Monitor

Using this program, you can monitor the active activities of the user, monitoring and receiving reports on the actions performed. Since this utility can also block a number of actions, it is ideal for use with parental controls.

The downside is the display of the program process in the task manager and the relative high cost of the paid version. Since Real Spy Monitor has an English-language user interface, this may also seem like a disadvantage to some.

Real Spy Monitor features:

1. Working in "keylogger" mode.
2. Report on running programs and documents.
3. Saving the user's complete correspondence in instant messengers.
4. Saving screenshots.

Vkurse for Android

Vkurse is a spy program for devices running Android OS . Allows you to track user actions on your phone or tablet in real time.

Checking the site for viruses

Possibilities:

• simultaneous control over all messengers running on the device;
• allows you to take a screenshot ;
• tracking of text information entered from the Android keyboard;
• GPS detection
• recording incoming and outgoing calls.

Advantages:

• hidden operating mode without an active window;
• Possibility of installation without root;
• does not boot the system.

Flaws:

• the ability to detect the application through the “Task Manager” (task manager).

Actual Spy

Actual Spy is essentially a keylogger that provides the ability to collect basic necessary information. Thanks to this program, and the fact that its activity on the device is completely hidden, you can carry out surveillance absolutely anonymously.

Since the utility can work in normal and hidden modes, it is necessary to make settings to completely hide it. The program may not appear in running processes and may not attract the attention of antivirus programs, remaining completely unnoticed.

Main features of Actual Spy:

1. Track keystrokes and clipboard contents.
2. Data about the startup and shutdown of applications and programs.
3. Report on pages visited in the browser.
4. Systematic saving of screenshots.

Actual Keylogger

The program , known since Windows XP , supports the “top ten”, although it has an interface that is 12 years behind the times. It consists of several modules, each of which records the activity of a separate component.

Computer (file system)

We won’t see anything new here: the usual saving of buffer contents, intercepting keystrokes, screenshots, running applications, open files, printed documents.

For any criterion, detailed information is provided with dates, times, and contents of documents.

Internet

All connections to the Internet are recorded, be it a browser, instant messenger or download manager.

A lot of settings and an impressive number of parameters when creating a report will provide the necessary information in an easy-to-read video in text format or in html.

There is no Russian-language interface. During installation, all the shortcuts appear in Start; it is not visually visible that the software is running, but any Task Manager detects it.

Rice. 3 – Outdated interface and rich functionality of Actual Keylogger

SpyGo

A spy program designed to monitor and track the actions of a PC user. Its operation is based on the principle of reading keystrokes. However, in addition to this, the utility contains a number of functions useful for managers, parents and jealous spouses.

List of SpyGo features:

1. Reading passwords from any services (mail, social networks, dating sites) using a keylogger.
2. Monitoring and full report of web page visits.
3. Recording what is happening on a PC monitor.
4. Online tracking using a webcam.
5. Listening to what is happening within the radius of use of the device.

In addition to the free option, which allows you to monitor only 20 minutes a day, the developers offer paid versions of SpyGo. The price range ranges from 1980-3750 rubles. The program is suitable for versions of Windows XP, 7, 8, Vista.

Is there 100% protection?

If you look closely at how spyware gets onto a computer and what it does afterwards, there is only one thing we can say about 100% protection: it does not exist. Even if you use the entire arsenal of security tools, you can be 80 percent sure of security, no more. However, there should be no provoking actions on the part of the user himself in the form of visiting dubious sites, installing unsafe software, ignoring antivirus warnings, opening email attachments from unknown sources, etc.

Snitch

The program in its functionality has the entire list of capabilities necessary for tracking and collecting information from a computer. However, a distinctive feature of Snitch is the ability to work effectively even if the tracking or monitored modules do not have a static IP address. This allows you to use the utility even in the absence of an Internet connection. The program is easy to use, does not consume large PC resources, but is very effective.

Benefits of Snitch:

1. The program functions even without Internet access.
2. Reading text by keystrokes (correspondence, passwords).
3. Browser page traffic report.
4. Analysis of information on the clipboard.
5. Completely hidden installation mode.
6. Small program requirements do not slow down the device at all.

The program is developed in a single version and is operational immediately after registration. In this case, you do not need to make any preliminary settings to get started.

Ardamax Keylogger

Another utility designed to read information from pressed keys is Ardamax Keylogger. Lightweight and easy to use, the program will save data entered in the windows of any programs, browsers, forms, and provide a detailed report on correspondence, passwords, and requests. Thanks to a special stealth mode, the program is not displayed in the task manager, Windows startup folders, system tray and Start menu.

Features of Ardamax Keylogger:

1. Reading of typed texts from all forms, including popular instant messengers.
2. Completely invisible operating mode.
3. Visual surveillance with the ability to take screenshots and photographs.
4. Sound recording of what is happening using a microphone.

The developers offer to download a trial version for review. If the client wants to purchase the full version, it will cost him $48.96.

NeoSpy

NeoSpy is a universal keyboard, screen and user activity spy program. NeoSpy works invisibly and can hide its presence even during installation.

The user who installs the program has the opportunity to choose one of two installation modes - administrator and hidden. In the first mode, the program is installed openly - it creates a shortcut on the desktop and a folder in the Program Files directory, in the second - hidden.

Program processes do not appear in Windows Task Manager or third-party task managers.

The functionality of NeoSpy is quite wide and the program can be used both as home monitoring and in offices to monitor employees.

The spy program is distributed in three versions under a shareware license. The price is 820-1990 rubles, but it can also work for free (even in hidden mode) with restrictions when viewing reports.

What NeoSpy can do:

• monitor the keyboard;
• monitor website visits;
• show the user’s screen in real time via the Internet from another computer or tablet;
• take screenshots and save images from your webcam;
• monitor system events (turning on, shutting down, computer downtime, connecting removable media);
• intercept the contents of the clipboard;
• Monitor the use of Internet instant messengers, record Skype calls;
• intercept data sent for printing and copied to external media;
• keep statistics of computer work;
• send laptop coordinates (calculated over Wi-Fi).

Thanks to the Russian-language interface, a wide range of functions, correct keyboard interception and a completely hidden operating mode in the system, NeoSpy receives the maximum rating when choosing a program for monitoring users.

How to protect yourself from spyware

The above spyware is a tool that can be used both for the benefit of people and for the harm. If parents want to protect their child from visiting malicious sites and use the program in order to respond to danger in time, this is a good motive. The use of keyloggers by business managers to monitor employees is also used to benefit the business. Although the developers strongly recommend notifying employees about installing this software on their PC.

It is unlikely that anyone would want to be watched without his knowledge. Even those who install similar programs on others’ devices. You need to know that all programs of this type are classified as spyware viruses. Therefore, in order not to become a victim of attackers yourself and not to lose personal data, you need to install an antivirus on your computer that is tailored to recognize spyware and keyloggers. For example Spyware Terminator or Super Anti Spyware.

Spy program for a computer/laptop and how to protect yourself - TOP 6
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What is spyware?

Spyware is good at hiding. To do this, it is embedded in the operating system of the device and runs in the background as a resident program. Sometimes spyware disguises itself as harmless files necessary for the operation of the OS.

Spyware can sneak onto your device along with a seemingly legitimate app (always read the fine print!). But the easiest way to pick up spyware is through a dubious download or a phishing attack.

="How to detect spyware"

According to the German magazine Der Spiegel, government departments can even introduce spyware through iTunes. A special FinFisher program allows you to monitor user activity on Facebook and Skype and view emails. If governments use it, rest assured that criminals around the world will not sit idly by either.

Spyware can be installed on any device – desktop, laptop, tablet, iPhone and Android smartphone. Initially, spyware was created for computers, but now they exploit vulnerabilities in mobile devices.

In this article, we will tell you what types of spyware there are, how to detect them on your computer and smartphone, and how to neutralize the threat. Our tips will be useful to owners of any mobile devices based on iOS and Android. We'll help you protect your privacy on all the devices you use.