I'm a little concern about something. Please help.

beluga

beluga

Joined
Nov 17, 2001
Messages
1,957
Okay, my girlfriend seems to obssess with what I do on the Internet. She wants to know whom I chat with, what programs I use, what websites I visit, etc. I have had multiple arguments with her that that kind of obssession is not healthy and I don't want her to spy on me anymore. She said okay. But I'm sure that she has installed some kind of programs that record everything. My question is, how can I detect that such program has been installed on my computer ?

Thanks guys in advance.
 
You might try using Spybot to check and see if you can find the program. That's probably the first thing I would do.
 
Better solution find a new G/f. This obcession about controling and monitoring what you are doing will not get any better as time goes on. Do you want to put up with this on a long term basis? She has some trust issues obviously! I would suspect that this will spread from jsut the internet to other areas of your life as well. Take it from someone who sped blindly past early warning signs, it is easier to handle this sort of thing earlier than later.
 
I don't know if it is a problem. I've caught me wife 'lingering' behind me a few times, big deal.

If you look at my 'net records, you'll find gun and ammo research, some searches to clarify daily news, research and price checking for Harleys, e-mail, work from the office and correspondence in the forums. That's it, total.

I once had a cop follow me because I have a common biker name, and they got the wrong club. I was furious.

Then my wife, love her, gave me the best advice on this matter.

"What did you do," she asked, "Bore the cop into a snooze?"

Everyone seems to be afraid of 'Big Brother,' but I don't think they monitor just exactly when you dump the fabric softener into your dainties.
 
Beluga--to answer your technical question I just purchased Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2004. Besides providing Antivirus and a Firewall, they also bundled anti-spyware protection. Since it updates everyday when you log on, it should be one of the most current anti-spyware programs you can get. I'm leary of Spybot because as of last year PCWorld was reporting that it was (still) sometimes eradicating necessary files.

Chris in Mo gave you a good answer to an implied question. You might consider if this behavior is acceptable to you and for how long. Has your gf had a bad experience in the past or with you concerning this? Maybe talking about a bad experience would help her to get over this behavior. Healthy curiosity and wanting to feel "involved" in your life is one thing, but since you claim she boarders on "obsession", that is entirely another.

Not bustin' on you, just pointing out what you probably already know inside.
 
I don't think "anti spyware" programs will detect this kind of spying software. Read in a computer magazine that they are afraid of being sued for blocking/removing commercial spy programs.

Best thing to do:
A1. Backup important data
A2. Format HD, and reinstall windows
A3. Don't let your girlfriend use your computer (Password)

B. Get another girlfriend
 
there is a cool little device you can stick between the keyboard and the motherboard...it records all your keystroks...

add/remove programs look for the program there!
 
There's the key logger between the keyboard and PC, as mentioned. No detection there but looking as no software is installed.

Run MSConfig. Look through the startup and Advanced sections for odd programs. If you don't know what it is, do an internet search on the program name to find out if it's part of Microsoft or some other desired program. Uncheck anything else you're concerned about.

MSconfig is started from the RUN command from your Start Menu. Select Run and type msconfig.

Most of the good spyware tools for monitoring all your activity won't show up in Add/Remove Programs or the CTL-ALT-DEL task list.

Against Van Eck Phreaking, you're pretty much out of luck. I can't imagine she could set that up anyway.

Then, dump the GF. She isn't long term material.

Phil
 
Spyware isn't girlfriend friendly. What you are talking about is SPECTRE

Spectre takes snapshots of your screen and saves them, and lets her log in and see them later.

There's info out there on detecting and removing, but I'd remove the GF first.
 
I just ran MSConfig. Thanks for the tip. I recognized everything as legitimate EXCEPT "Ati HotKey Poller" by "Unknown" vendor? Anyone know what this is?
 
Dude: Google is your friend




Ati HotKey Poller Ati HotKey Poller Ati2evxx.exe None No. This service is installed if you update to the latest ATI video card drivers. It provides the ability to hot key your display settings for what ever reason you would need this feature. I do not change them often, so there is no point in having this service "always running." Automatic Disabled
 
Now wait a minute. Let's not all jump on the "Dump-the-girlfriend" bandwagon.

While looking over your shoulder one night, she may have seen some of the avatars--I love 'em too--that some members use here. It's simply a misunderstanding; you must convince her that you're actually here for the intelligent knife talk--not the girly pictures. :D

Do women believe men who say they peruse "Playboy" magazine for the articles rather than the photos? Nevermind. ;) ;) ;)
 
You don't even really need to install any programs to check and see everywhere you go on the net, and everything you do on the computer. If you don't delete your history and cookie files after using the computer it is very easy to see everything you did. I know this might seem really simple, but you would be surprised how many people don't think about it.

And just deleting your cookies and history from the browser isn't really enough either. Windows spies on you by default, it holds all of the documents you opened and programs you used recently in special hidden folders. So it is really quit possible and easy to see what someone else is doing on their computer if you have access and a little knowledge of Windows.
 
I forget how to do it but you can do something so that Windows only starts up with the bare essentials because most of these keystroke monitors and alike open with windows. I think its something like Run, regedit but I'm lost after that but I think you have to alter the win.ini file but DO NOT screw with that unless you know what you are doing. Another thing that you can do incase she's monitoring keystrokes is type out the alphabet and copy and paste my friend. Best bet is to sit her down and have a long talk and if that doesn't work for her stand her up and let her take the long walk :D . G.L.
 
I just tell her... "Oh that, yeah that's porn... yup you guessed it, more porn... Why are there knives and no girls? You caught me sweety, I am in fact a knife pervert..." Why the keyboard is sticky I'll never tell:o ;) :D
 
Originally posted by beluga
I have had multiple arguments with her that that kind of obssession is not healthy and I don't want her to spy on me anymore.
Click to expand...

Hmm.. You don't want her to spy on you?

Clearly you have something to hide, or you wouldn't mind her spying on you.

Right? :p

Rather than try to remove software, here's a better plan:

Step 1) Cheat on girlfriend
Step 2) Take photos of self cheating on girlfriend
Step 3) Send photos to girlfriend.

I personally guarantee that she'll never worry about what you do on the internet again.

-- Rob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top