Computer surveillance

At a basic level, computers are a surveillance target because large amounts of personal information are stored on them. Anyone who can access or remove a computer can retrieve information. If someone is able to install software on a computer system, they can turn the computer into a surveillance device.

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	Teddy Bear with Covert Wireless Camera
	*2.4GHz wireless signal with up to 300' operational range *Hidden color camera with fixed focus lens in teddy bear *Built-in IR LEDs for low-light viewing *Wireless receiver with RCA outputs for TV or VCR *Includes receiver, RCA cable, AC adapter and 9V battery

	Wireless Covert Cell Phone Video Camera WCV9W
	Covert camera peers through 0.07 hole and is virtually undetectable Camera strategically positioned in top of phone to capture evidence when held or worn in holster Video signals are transmitted up to 600 line of sight, and perfect for short range obstructed applications Transmission frequency is 1...

SVAT WSE103 Wireless Color Mini Pinhole Covert Camera System Reviews not really gog, poor range, nice lens, not an easy installation to see over the web The ease of setup and operation of this unit and the quality of the image from the camera (which is good) could not make up for the fact that the poor signal quality renders the good points irrelevant. At any distance greater than 3 or 4 feet between the camera and receiver, the image becomes so unstable as to be barely discernible. Marked by white interference lines, static and jumpiness, the image quality of the installed system was not acceptable for my application in my environment. I did try unplugging all of my cordless phones as well as my wireless router and all wireless PCs but there was no effect on the signal quality. Obviously this unit works well for some people in their environment if the reviews are to be believed. I would be sure you purchase from Amazon so that you can easily return it if need be. Did receive it very quickly, & it is nice & small, however, I found it to be a terrible camera. Did not get any picture to come in...not worth the money at all. I know most people liked it but mine wasn't worth it. It is going right back. While I admit this product is compact and easy to use, it has major problems: picture quality is poor (it needs lots of light); reception only works on one channel (possibly due to interference, but who doesn't have wireless internet these days?); so I can't even buy another camera since the other two channels provide almost no reception; even on that one channel the reception is barely acceptable (frequent white stripes accross the image). Secondly, the small camera does not transmit audio, which is dissapointing since the receiver does have audio output! Great little camera. Good color, range is enough to cover a room or doorway. Very easy to set up. Average Rating:

The WSE103 is a miniature pinhole camera system that can be hidden for undercover indoor use. It comes with everything you need to start monitoring. This camera is tiny, but just as powerful as most full size cameras with an incredible 360 TV lines of resolution! Due to its pinhole lens it can be hidden anywhere...

	World's Smallest Video Camcorder & Camera 5.0MP Photos. High-Resolution Video 640x480. Playback on TV or Computer, Wireless Remote Control, Time & Date (On or Off), 2GB SanDisk Memory Card included
	New Micro DV Recorder and Player that can be used free-standing or clip-it with the attached 360o Rrotatable clip. This camera is the size of two-postage stamps. It takes exceptional broadcast quality video, audio, and high-resolution still photos...

	Wisecomm CW6700 2.4GHz Wireless Covert 4-Channel Sequenecing Receiver - Small (Black)
	The Clover Electronics CW6700 is designed for applications looking to add wireless capabilities to a CCTV board camera. This kit consists of the CW5800 PC board and wireless modulator assembly, and the WW8000RX 4-channel sequencing video and audio receiver...

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Computers can be tapped by a number of methods, ranging from the installation of physical bugs or surveillance software to the remote interception of the radio transmissions generated by the normal operation of computers.

Spyware is computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user's interaction with the computer, without the user's informed consent.

While the term spyware suggests software that secretly monitors the user's behavior, the functions of spyware extend well beyond simple monitoring. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habit, sites that have been visited, but can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software, redirecting Web browser activity, accessing websites blindly that will cause more harmful viruses, or diverting advertising revenue to a third party. Spyware can even change computer settings, resulting in slow connection speeds, different home pages, and loss of Internet or other programs. In an attempt to increase the understanding of spyware, a more formal classification of its included software types is captured under the term privacy-invasive software.

In response to the emergence of spyware, a small industry has sprung up dealing in anti-spyware software. Running anti-spyware software has become a widely recognized element of computer security best practices for Microsoft Windows desktop computers. A number of jurisdictions have passed anti-spyware laws, which usually target any software that is surreptitiously installed to control a user's computer.

Legal issues related to spyware

Criminal law

Unauthorized access to a computer is illegal under computer crime laws, such as the U.S. Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the U.K.'s Computer Misuse Act and similar laws in other countries. Since the owners of computers infected with spyware generally claim that they never authorized the installation, a prima facie reading would suggest that the promulgation of spyware would count as a criminal act. Law enforcement has often pursued the authors of other malware, particularly viruses. However, few spyware developers have been prosecuted, and many operate openly as strictly legitimate businesses, though some have faced lawsuits.

Spyware producers argue that, contrary to the users' claims, users do in fact give consent to installations. Spyware that comes bundled with shareware applications may be described in the legalese text of an end-user license agreement (EULA). Many users habitually ignore these purported contracts, but spyware companies such as Claria claim these demonstrate that users have consented.

Despite the ubiquity of EULAs and of "clickwrap" agreements, under which a single click can be taken as consent to the entire text, relatively little case law has resulted from their use. It has been established in most common law jurisdictions that a clickwrap agreement can be a binding contract in certain circumstances. This does not, however, mean that every such agreement is a contract or that every term in one is enforceable.

Some jurisdictions, including the U.S. states of Iowa and Washington, have passed laws criminalizing some forms of spyware. Such laws make it illegal for anyone other than the owner or operator of a computer to install software that alters Web-browser settings, monitors keystrokes, or disables computer-security software.

In the United States, lawmakers introduced a bill in 2005 entitled the Internet Spyware Prevention Act, which would imprison creators of spyware.