Why Do Businesses Use Spyware?
Employees may use computers at the workplace to do things that are not work-related and can place the entire computer systems in the office at risk. Businesses are adding spyware programs on their computers to ensure their employees are maximizing their use of time doing work-related activities and also to protect the organization's computer servers and central networking systems. Employees may feel that spyware is an invasion of privacy as it monitors everything they are doing.
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What Is Spyware?
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Spyware is a program that attaches itself to your computer's Internet connection and aecords private and personal information about the computer user without their knowledge. On a person's personal computer, spyware may be secretly downloaded through programs. However, businesses intentionally install the software to increase their chances of recording data from employees and transmitting the information back to the company's IT department for review.
Trade Secrets
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Spyware used in a business may also protect the business from employees sending trade secrets and sensitive information to competitors. For example, Apple may have special technologies that keep them as one of the central leaders in the computer industry. If there is an employee who is sending that information to Microsoft, or other competitors, Apple could lose revenue. Spyware is necessary to track "moles" or "spies" to protect their interests.
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Viruses
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The computers in an organization are typically connected by one centralized network. Therefore, if a virus gets into the system, the hacker can have access to information on all the computers in the organization using a virus that came from one computer. One virus can gum up the entire computer network within the organization. Spyware is necessary to ensure employees are not going to websites or downloading materials that can place the entire organization at risk.
Time Management
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If the organization is involved in activities in which production is critical to revenue, and an employee is not performing, the business can lose money. For example, if an employee works for a company at which inventory must be updated on a regular basis so the company knows when to order more supplies, a slow worker may delay the reordering of inventory. Spyware ensures the employee is diligently working on the task on a consistent basis.
Changes in Production or Policy
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Depending on the industry, spyware may also allow a company to research data based on how employees are researching information to determine if the process they are using is working or not working. For example, those working for a research firm may use certain websites to conduct research that are more effective than others. Businesses can record this data to determine which sites the employees should use collectively to maximize production.
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