Email Spying and Monitoring
The use of email spying or monitoring software is common in the workplace. If you work for a
large company you can almost guarantee that your Internet access is being
monitored. This not only includes the web sites you access but also the email
that you send and receive.
Many large companies have email policies in place which restrict or even ban
the use of company email for personal use and use Internet and email monitoring
or spying software to enforce these policies. There have been many well
publicised cases of email spy software being used in dismissal cases against
employees for email misuse ( Bosses
step up email spying Guardian uk 2002 ).
You should also bear in mind that email is not generally considered to be
secure -see email privacy.
Email Spying Software for The Small Business and Home User
Email spying software is now available for the small business and home user
and can be used to track employees or children's use of the Internet. In fact it
is not only email that can be tracked - Internet browsing Instant messaging and
computer use can also be monitored.
A whole new niche industry as sprung up based spy and anti spy
software. All of it having its roots in internet monitoring for large
corporations and being adapted and renamed for the home/small business
market.
Email Spy or monitoring software is designed to be used by:
Parents concerned about their children's computer activity, i.e. what kind
of messages they send by email, who they communicate with etc.
Spouses concerned about their partner's secret cyber relationship etc.
Businesses trying to control internal information turnover, to stop
incorrect using of the company name, drain of trade/industrial know-how or
intellectual property etc.
Email Spying Software- Key points to Look For
- Do you need just to monitor email or do you want to monitor instant
messaging and browser Internet access?
- Do machines have personal firewall software installed?
- Do you have physical access to the machines at all times?
- Do you want the user to know?
- What email Client are you Using- Outlook Express, Eudora, Incredimail
- What type of email access pop3, imap4 or http (MSN)?
Email Spying Software Review
There are many companies offering these type of products and many offer
free trials. Here is a quick review of some of the ones I know:
|
Program |
website |
smtp/pop3 |
Webmail/ msn/Yahoo |
Remarks |
| WebMail Spy |
exploreanywhere |
yes |
yes |
Provides many other
monitoring/spying products like SpyBuddy, WebMail Spy, and
ChatBlocker! |
| Email Spy |
spydex. |
yes |
no |
Provides other spying/monitoring
products |
|
EmailObserver™ |
softsecurity |
yes |
no |
Provides other spying/monitoring and anti spying products |
|
SpyMail For Hotmail And Yahoo |
internetsafetysoftware. |
yes |
yes |
Provides other spying/monitoring products |
|
SpyMail For Outlook Express
|
internetsafetysoftware. |
yes |
no |
Provides other spying/monitoring products |