How do I tell if my ex has installed spyware on my machine?

Its possible he put a hardware keylogger on. If so, a hard disk wipe would not remove that.

I'd find that possibility unlikely, as he would need to get local access to the computer to read any information back.

Another thing to check for would be that when she took a copy of files she wanted to keep before the HD wipe, she did not take any executable files along. Instead re-installing software from trusted sources.

billpg.me.uk

you didn't answer her question. I have the same problem, but unfortunately mine did have access, because my daughter wanted something loaded down. But all of sudden he has information only I know of. How do I know he hasn't down loaded a keylogger or remote program.

Got a prob, recently split from partner, and changed my e-mail address, however, during a conversation, he told me details of e-mails that I had not yet opened, he had read them and when I asked how he said he had ways and means, but how did he know my password.

my daughter caught her husband cheating by using spyware called win spy, If you use freeware a little man shows up in the taskbar, but if you pay for it he disappears. When she found out what she needed to know, she confronted him, he asked how she found out and she just said..I hacked into your computer" At the very same time, and older lady friend of mine discovered this little man on the task bar. Coincidentally I asked my daughter about it and found out that the friend's "supposedly" gentleman friend had put it in her computer so that he could monitor her emails from about 400 miles away. these folks are in their late 60's, and they still do it. Now she is getting an occasional memo with his password on it and wonders if there is still something on her computer, she has kicked him to the curb anyway.

I have just discovered that my partner who works for a large I.T security provider has installed spyware on our laptop. I accidently discovered the logs and am dismayed to see my Yahoo account password, My password to my company website which gives me access to information about child services that should not be in the public domain.
I shall never feel safe using the computer again.

The answer to the question is that you need to hire a licensed private detective that specializes in computer forensics. That way you have what you need to prove in court that your ex or current partner has violated your privacy and the control of your computer returned to you without damage to your computer. Yes, it will cost money for their services and expert testimony. Check with your state's private detective association for a referral.

My husband runs Adaware every day on my computer. Culd he be covering up a spyware program?

@Karen: AdAware is a program for detecting and removing adware and spyware that can accumulate on your computer every time you browse the Web. It is not unusual to scan a computer with AdAware daily. I can not say whether or not your husband has installed spying software on your machine, but using AdAware would hinder, not aid, attempts to monitor your computer usage. However, even without any sort of spying software, anyone with unhindered access to your computer can learn a great deal about your internet browsing history, recently edited documents, and other usage history that is automatically saved by your computer's operating system. If your husband performs routine maintenance on your machine, he could easily stumble across some of these details, whether or not he is specifically looking for them. Perhaps you should ask yourself, do you have secrets? Mwaaah-ha-ha-ha-haaa! (Sorry, got carried away there at the end).

All this talk about how expensive it is to analyze a computer to see if there is spyware by the spouse. Sure that would cost. Why not just reformat and reinstall. If that still bothers you then hard drives are cheap. Do all this for pennies compared to hiring a geek to pore through your set.

I would reccomend a program called "Hijackthis". It shows you everthing working in the background and allows you the opportunity to delete things manually.

Warning its not an automatic scanner and can get a bit technical.

download: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/files/hijackthis.php

user guide: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial42.html

You can also save a log and upload it to a forum so experts can determine what you should remove and not.

message forum: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum22.html

You have to register first but its Free.

http://www.geocities.com/terryhollett2003/