Symantec Crossing Line Into Spy Software Products ?
- By Grey McKenzie
- Published Tuesday 29th 2008
Grey McKenzie
National Cyber Security Founder
Cyber security watchdog Grey McKenzie is one of the nation's leading Internet security experts.
Some of his clients include members of the Department of Homeland Security, State Department, Department of Defense & the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
His SpyCop security software products are in use by over 50,000 individuals & companies worldwide
To schedule an interview or consult with Grey call 850-708-7660
I suppose it was inevitable that companies in the cyber security realm are starting to realize the huge profits that are available in the marketing of legal computer spy software products.
Spectorsoft, the leader in this industry has been raking in millions of dollars selling spy software to monitor family members and employees. That's fine as long as Spectorsoft spy software products are used legally.
My problem with these types of products is, unfortunately legally sold spy software products can also be purchased and used by identity thieves, phishers, or even ex spouses to spy on each other.
Keylogger software or hardware, is used regularly by Trojans, Viruses, and just about all computer spy software includes them.
I am assuming this is also the case with Symantec, that they are planning to use a keylogger in their new spy software product.
Here's a quote from a story from the Internet News Website interviewing Symantec's Gerry Egan director of product management...
Parents get a report showing all the friends in the IM friends list and how much time was
spent chatting, so if the kid spends many hours in the week chatting with one person, parents can find out whether that person is a known friend or someone mysterious.
Most of the cases of teens running off with someone they met in chat rooms were preceded with many hours spent in chat, so parents can get a hint in advance. Egan thinks this method avoids straying into the spyware realm.
"We're tip-toeing up to that line but I don't think we're crossing it. Yeah, the kid might not agree," he admitted.
I did notice that Symantec was easing into the marketplace, tentatively testing the waters to see public reaction no doubt...
As the founder of SpyCop spy software detector, I see all the nasty ways spy software can ruin peoples lives.
My problem is...
When you have a security company selling spy software, obviously for a profit, it makes me think of a corrupt cop who catches the bad guys... if it suits his interests.
I don't have any problem with a company selling spy software legitimately, but I do have a problem if they are also in charge of protecting us from these products.
Seems to me that is a blatant breech of client trust.
I mean it would be like my company SpyCop that is strictly focused on detecting commercial spy software products, deciding to create spy software products for the retail marketplace...
Absurd!!!
Spectorsoft, the leader in this industry has been raking in millions of dollars selling spy software to monitor family members and employees. That's fine as long as Spectorsoft spy software products are used legally.
My problem with these types of products is, unfortunately legally sold spy software products can also be purchased and used by identity thieves, phishers, or even ex spouses to spy on each other.
Keylogger software or hardware, is used regularly by Trojans, Viruses, and just about all computer spy software includes them.
I am assuming this is also the case with Symantec, that they are planning to use a keylogger in their new spy software product.
Here's a quote from a story from the Internet News Website interviewing Symantec's Gerry Egan director of product management...
Parents get a report showing all the friends in the IM friends list and how much time was
Most of the cases of teens running off with someone they met in chat rooms were preceded with many hours spent in chat, so parents can get a hint in advance. Egan thinks this method avoids straying into the spyware realm.
"We're tip-toeing up to that line but I don't think we're crossing it. Yeah, the kid might not agree," he admitted.
I did notice that Symantec was easing into the marketplace, tentatively testing the waters to see public reaction no doubt...
As the founder of SpyCop spy software detector, I see all the nasty ways spy software can ruin peoples lives.
My problem is...
When you have a security company selling spy software, obviously for a profit, it makes me think of a corrupt cop who catches the bad guys... if it suits his interests.
I don't have any problem with a company selling spy software legitimately, but I do have a problem if they are also in charge of protecting us from these products.
Seems to me that is a blatant breech of client trust.
I mean it would be like my company SpyCop that is strictly focused on detecting commercial spy software products, deciding to create spy software products for the retail marketplace...
Absurd!!!
