Comments on: The Dell Keylogger Hoax and Collective Intelligence http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/infolaw/2006/05/24/the-dell-keylogger-hoax-and-collective-intelligence/ Information, Law, and the Law of Information Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:08:14 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: William McGeveran http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/infolaw/2006/05/24/the-dell-keylogger-hoax-and-collective-intelligence/comment-page-1/#comment-51878 William McGeveran Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:10:10 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/infolaw/2006/05/24/the-dell-keylogger-hoax-and-collectiv#comment-51878 I left D. Smith's apologia for keyloggers in the comments section, but deleted the portiond that were simply an ad for a product. Please note that both the ethics and, in some circumstances, the legality of keyloggers are highly questionable. Anyway, the original post makes quite a different point. I will leave it at that. I left D. Smith’s apologia for keyloggers in the comments section, but deleted the portiond that were simply an ad for a product. Please note that both the ethics and, in some circumstances, the legality of keyloggers are highly questionable.

Anyway, the original post makes quite a different point. I will leave it at that.

]]> By: D. Smith http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/infolaw/2006/05/24/the-dell-keylogger-hoax-and-collective-intelligence/comment-page-1/#comment-51785 D. Smith Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:32:57 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/infolaw/2006/05/24/the-dell-keylogger-hoax-and-collectiv#comment-51785 A lot of people are under the impression that keyloggers are of use only to criminals. The media hype surrounding hackers, and in particular identity theft, is primarily to blame for this. But as you know, the media always exaggerates for effect, no less so in this case. This is just the same as how someone with a car could run you over, when they see you on a street. That would be very bad, particularly for you, but it doesn’t stop you from using a car yourself, does it? In fact, keyloggers have a large number of legitimate uses. For example, if you are worried about your children, you can use a keylogger to protect them. The program will watch them automatically, catching everything they do, so you can see if they are doing anything dangerous. There are a lot of very bad people online, and with today’s chat software it is easier then ever for them to attack your children over the internet. With the help of a keylogger, you can see this happening and take steps to stop it. More then that, it provides a useful tool to keep tabs on all your family- maybe you’re worried your spouse is cheating on you, well, this is an easy way to find out. Just install a keylogger, and check out who they are chatting to and what they are chatting about. Computer surveillance has never been easier. If there are no family issues to concern you, spy software is still an excellent device at work, too. You can keep an eye on what your employees are up to, and catch them immediately if they are wasting time on personal emails, or just web surfing, when they should be working. Much more importantly, though, you can spot leaks before they become a problem and prevent trade secrets from escaping. [Advertisement deleted by editors] In the end, if you are worried at all (or perhaps just curious) you should definitely get a keylogger. Even the most basic will be a big help to you, and the more advanced, modern programs have a host of additional features. The best thing to do is to think up a list of everything you want it to do, and then shop around until you find something that meets your specifications. Be sure to ask for advice in forums, and check out review sites. Where your peace of mind is at stake, don’t settle for anything less then the best. A lot of people are under the impression that keyloggers are of use only to criminals. The media hype surrounding hackers, and in particular identity theft, is primarily to blame for this. But as you know, the media always exaggerates for effect, no less so in this case.

This is just the same as how someone with a car could run you over, when they see you on a street. That would be very bad, particularly for you, but it doesn’t stop you from using a car yourself, does it? In fact, keyloggers have a large number of legitimate uses.

For example, if you are worried about your children, you can use a keylogger to protect them. The program will watch them automatically, catching everything they do, so you can see if they are doing anything dangerous. There are a lot of very bad people online, and with today’s chat software it is easier then ever for them to attack your children over the internet. With the help of a keylogger, you can see this happening and take steps to stop it.

More then that, it provides a useful tool to keep tabs on all your family- maybe you’re worried your spouse is cheating on you, well, this is an easy way to find out. Just install a keylogger, and check out who they are chatting to and what they are chatting about. Computer surveillance has never been easier.

If there are no family issues to concern you, spy software is still an excellent device at work, too. You can keep an eye on what your employees are up to, and catch them immediately if they are wasting time on personal emails, or just web surfing, when they should be working. Much more importantly, though, you can spot leaks before they become a problem and prevent trade secrets from escaping.

[Advertisement deleted by editors]

In the end, if you are worried at all (or perhaps just curious) you should definitely get a keylogger. Even the most basic will be a big help to you, and the more advanced, modern programs have a host of additional features. The best thing to do is to think up a list of everything you want it to do, and then shop around until you find something that meets your specifications. Be sure to ask for advice in forums, and check out review sites. Where your peace of mind is at stake, don’t settle for anything less then the best.

]]> By: Dave http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/infolaw/2006/05/24/the-dell-keylogger-hoax-and-collective-intelligence/comment-page-1/#comment-24690 Dave Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:02:52 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/infolaw/2006/05/24/the-dell-keylogger-hoax-and-collectiv#comment-24690 Funny I heard this from a friend of mine this morning. First Ive heard of it. And the funny thing about this is i am a Dell hardware support tech. For the service tag, Its the sticker on your computer that tells us who bought it, and the parts inside in case warranty issues replacement parts. And as for the (What are/is your computer going to be used for?) Is if your name or country pops up on the homeland security risk data sheet. And yes its the same list the airports use to deny service. And every one remembers the babies on some counters were not allowed on a plane. So yes as a fact it is a hoax. Funny I heard this from a friend of mine this morning. First Ive heard of it. And the funny thing about this is i am a Dell hardware support tech. For the service tag, Its the sticker on your computer that tells us who bought it, and the parts inside in case warranty issues replacement parts. And as for the (What are/is your computer going to be used for?) Is if your name or country pops up on the homeland security risk data sheet. And yes its the same list the airports use to deny service. And every one remembers the babies on some counters were not allowed on a plane. So yes as a fact it is a hoax.

]]> By: Michael Froomkin http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/infolaw/2006/05/24/the-dell-keylogger-hoax-and-collective-intelligence/comment-page-1/#comment-67 Michael Froomkin Wed, 24 May 2006 18:04:55 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/infolaw/2006/05/24/the-dell-keylogger-hoax-and-collectiv#comment-67 Well, of course, why bother with the hardware when it's in the software? ;> (I think) Well, of course, why bother with the hardware when it’s in the software?

;>
(I think)

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