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

Comment from ray on 2009-10-16

2009-10-16T23:06:44Z

If someone pays for spyware, which can be quite expensive, then it COULD be virtually impossible to detect it as there are really good programs out that can copy EVERY KEY stroke you make, which would give the offender passwords, account info., etc. BUT........ buying a new computer and putting spyware on yourself is the best solution to never being the victim again. Especially if the alleged offender will NOT have access to your new computer. It is VERY difficult and technical to INSTALL spyware WITHOUT having access to the victim's computer. Meaning to do it just from the net, very difficult and highly technical, especially when you already have antispyware on the pc - HOWEVER, when a person has access to your computer they can log on, download the spyware program they purchased to this "target computer" and then hide it or in most cases, especially if the program was expensive, the program will hide itself!! The offender can then log in to their account at the site of the program they purchased and see every key stroke you typed, knowing email contents, passwords, etc. Hope that helps.

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Comment from Russell on 2009-06-01

2009-06-01T21:25:42Z

My girlfriend seems to have the same issues with her ex. with what is written above. It's ok buying a new computer but when a number of programmes are web based ie MSN, AOL etc what do you do. I have adviced keep changing the password but will this really help.

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Comment from Joan on 2009-05-19

2009-05-19T18:11:25Z

Easy. Hit your computer with a hammer so it doesn't work anymore... and GO BUY A NEW ONE. Then, YOU be the first person to add a spyware program and you'll be able to see if anyone installs anything on it trying to spy on you....

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Comment from Terry Hollett on 2009-04-15

2009-04-15T11:47:38Z

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/

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

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Comment from neldon on 2009-04-14

2009-04-15T03:08:16Z

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.

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

Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
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Comment from Rob on 2009-03-24

2009-03-25T04:00:17Z

@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).

Rob's right, running Adaware is not a sign of prying eyes. However if you are concerned, the fact that your husband has physical access to your machine means he could be doing many other things. Only share machines with someone you actually trust.

- Leo
25-Mar-2009

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Comment from Karen on 2009-03-24

2009-03-24T18:20:51Z

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

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Comment from Kathy on 2009-03-21

2009-03-22T02:11:18Z

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.

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Comment from jackie b on 2008-04-14

2008-04-15T00:28:51Z

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.

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Comment from Laurel Hart on 2008-02-08

2008-02-08T17:44:48Z

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.

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Comment from clare on 2007-11-07

2007-11-08T05:20:00Z

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.

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

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Comment from Debbie on 2007-08-07

2007-08-08T05:19:13Z

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.

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Comment from Bill P. Godfrey on 2006-05-14

2006-05-14T12:09:43Z

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

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

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