Government Issued Spyware

"Tucked into an affidavit filed by an FBI agent last month was the first hard evidence that federal agents are equipped with more than automatic pistols and handcuffs: The agency was asking a federal judge to let it infect a PC with spyware so they could finger its owner. ...SNIP...
CIPAV, which stands for "Computer and Internet Protocol Address Verifier," is secret surveillance software that the FBI used last month to help identify whoever was e-mailing bomb threats almost daily to a Washington high school. "

FAQ: What we know (now) about the FBI's CIPAV spyware

Not surprising, at all.

Here is a case where agents were allowed to break into a suspects house and infect his computer with hidden key logging software:

http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9741357-7.html

[BluesScale]

If you search Ebay for "key logger" then you will find spyware for sale and hardware key loggers.

It isn't just spooks and blackhats who use them. Employers spy on employees. Husbands spy on wives and wives on husbands. Parents spy on their kids and maybe kids spy on parents.

Remember, it is only paranoia if they are not out to get you.

Blues