Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
I came across the web page that I found you on in the attempt to find information out if there is a possibility that my husband who I am in the middle of a nasty divorce could have, sometime since he moved out 2 years ago, put a spy program on my computer. I know it is possible, but am wondering how I can find if he has been monitoring my activity on the computer. In the past I know while he was in the residence he had put a program on and I found out by him showing me what he had done. When he moved out, I had the computer basically stripped down and reloaded and all programs supposedly were erased. I did purchase E. Blaster thinking he might be using that program but it loaded so I would assume that he is not using that program. Could there be another? Some computer technicians do not want to even get involved because they have told me that they do not want to be involved in a court case. I just need direction on where I should start or where I might find someone to investigate my computer and see if they can find any trace of him doing this.
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I can understand a normal technician not wanting to get involved. But I also understand that it might take some money, money that most of us might not have, to actually find someone to do the detailed analysis, and then testify to it in court.
So what should you do?
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Depending on what you mean by "stripped down and reloaded", that might well have been the very best thing you could have done. Basically if it involved both reformatting the hard disk(s) and reinstalling Windows, that's exactly what I would do myself, and feel quite ok about it.
Most anti-spyware programs will actually catch these kinds of things. While they're targeted at commercial spyware (things that insert ads, or redirect you to other sites and the like), they actually are also looking for true "spy" ware as well, as the name implies. Unfortunately not all anti-spyware programs catch all spyware, but running at least one, if not a couple every so often could give you a higher level of confidence. This article has more on the generalities: Spyware: How do I remove and avoid spyware?.
Sadly there are no guarantees, since I can't see or get at the specifics of your situation, but hopefully these general guidelines will help. After all that if you really do still suspect that he's spying on you, then it might be worth the extra effort and cost of tracking down a professional who can help you in your specific situation. In most cases, it'll take a private investigator who's up on technology, or perhaps law enforcement if you can get their attention.
Article C2654 - May 13, 2006
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
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.
Posted by: Russell at June 1, 2009 2:25 PMIf 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.
Posted by: ray at October 16, 2009 4:06 PMSpy Vector has the ability to be hidden in a picture or a text file. When the vistim opens the file, the spy has access to keystrokes, passwords, web history, even screen by screen shots of every page the victim went to!
And anti virus programs do not always find them, they are installed in 'stealth mode"
My sister had that Vector and you had to type shift+ctrl+alt+v or she could chance the v do whatever she wanted.
ANyway, I am looking for a program that will seek out and remove stealth programs such as this.
Any ideas?
Judy
Posted by: Judy at December 28, 2009 3:32 PMIf you are running an anti-virus program such as Norton, when someone installs spyware they must put an "exception" in your anti-virus program. So, check the expections tag on your anti-virus program to find out if there's something there that shouldn't be.
Posted by: Ed at January 6, 2011 12:00 PMThat is very useful information. Thanks
I also found more at this website: http://pcmash.com/software/how-do-i-know-if-my-somewone-installed-spy-software-my-computer
Posted by: faren at June 11, 2011 8:14 AM