The term internet surveillance refers to someone spying, watching, monitoring via internet. Internet is wide open and definitely not the most secure place. If you didn’t think about it before, maybe it’s time to consider the dangers of internet and what privacy issues it may bring you.
- Spyware is the most basic form of online surveillance. Simple online programs designed to gather information from you secretly without you even knowing. This data is sent to the ‘spies’. It could be passwords, documents, web browsing history.
- Adware is mostly used for advertising purposes. Usually comes with other software you install into your computer. It captures your browsing behavior mostly to let advertisers deliver more targeted ads to you. Data monitored is non-personal.
- Cookies are the lightest form of internet surveillance. It’s hard to call surveillance actually, but some people refer to them. Cookies are small text documents that are automatically downloaded to your computer. These are used mostly to remember login names/passwords for websites and do not cause a huge threat.
Last and most dangerous form of on-line surveillance is webcam surveillance via internet. This happens when someone actually breaks in your home, sets up a tiny spy camera or installs software inside your computer. This way they can monitor your activity being miles away, from their computer.
Another form of distant surveillance could be mobile surveillance. This is when someone installs app/software into your cell phone, then automatically turns on your mobile camera to see what you are doing.
