Cyber Monitoring?!?

pvkemail · 01-26-2008, 10:56 AM

Hi all,

I recently read in an article somewhere (in www), and if my memory is correct, it says something to this meaning, that every internet providers deploy some special software system whereby it monitors your web activities (like sites being visited, googling, etc.) and email transactions (searching for some special keywords in the body-text, subjects etc.). It seems many public sector communication companies (government owned/supported) or corporate companies who provide internet services, records your actions at their web-server.

1) How far this is true or is it just another internet-hoax or rumour?

2) Technically, is it possible for such providers to monitor so? Why because, logically, the cyberspace is so vast-and-wide and how can it be monitored, if they are providing, say, 5000+ connections?

3) I think in some way, maybe it is good to avoid unwanted elements using internet as a mean, but is it a form of cyber-harassing for good civilians when they are being monitored or overwatched constantly?

What do you think? Please share your opinions.

Thanks anyway,

Have a nice day,

Regards,
Vijay

**Cellus** · 01-30-2008, 07:08 PM

1) Internet Service Providers can and do monitor/log activity. This is done for traffic control and security purposes. However, ISPs tend to not release or use any such information outside of their stated Terms of Service unless required to by law (eg. a court order/warrant by law enforcements).

2) It is very much possible to monitor that much activity, however keep in mind they only monitor for certain things. They try to watch out for any serious malicious activity (if possible) that stands out as well as control traffic for Quality of Service (QoS) and other things. The hardware they use, especially the bigger Tier 2 (or even Tier 1) ISPs have switches, routers, and various hardware appliances that can cost as much as several home computers each (thousands of dollars or more).

3) This is considered acceptable behaviour, as end users are very much able to secure their traffic via encryption right from their home computer - not even the ISPs can see what is contained. For example if you were to use HTTPS (SSL) and log in securely to, say, your online bank account at a banking website, they could not tell at all what is there. Keep in mind that they technically own the connection, you are simply "leasing" bandwidth from them. If you want to find out what they might do with that connection, read your Terms of Service agreement with the ISP. ISPs do not surreptitiously snoop and read your traffic without good reason, and even then are very hesitant even to give information to law enforcement without a warrant (it's bad for business). Yes it is true some governments have surveillance programs, and some ISPs openly work with said governments on said programs, but that is a completely different discussion.

01-26-2008, 10:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
pvkemail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 4 OS: MS Windows	Cyber Monitoring?!? Hi all, I recently read in an article somewhere (in www), and if my memory is correct, it says something to this meaning, that every internet providers deploy some special software system whereby it monitors your web activities (like sites being visited, googling, etc.) and email transactions (searching for some special keywords in the body-text, subjects etc.). It seems many public sector communication companies (government owned/supported) or corporate companies who provide internet services, records your actions at their web-server. 1) How far this is true or is it just another internet-hoax or rumour? 2) Technically, is it possible for such providers to monitor so? Why because, logically, the cyberspace is so vast-and-wide and how can it be monitored, if they are providing, say, 5000+ connections? 3) I think in some way, maybe it is good to avoid unwanted elements using internet as a mean, but is it a form of cyber-harassing for good civilians when they are being monitored or overwatched constantly? What do you think? Please share your opinions. Thanks anyway, Have a nice day, Regards, Vijay

01-30-2008, 07:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,664 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	Re: Cyber Monitoring?!? 1) Internet Service Providers can and do monitor/log activity. This is done for traffic control and security purposes. However, ISPs tend to not release or use any such information outside of their stated Terms of Service unless required to by law (eg. a court order/warrant by law enforcements). 2) It is very much possible to monitor that much activity, however keep in mind they only monitor for certain things. They try to watch out for any serious malicious activity (if possible) that stands out as well as control traffic for Quality of Service (QoS) and other things. The hardware they use, especially the bigger Tier 2 (or even Tier 1) ISPs have switches, routers, and various hardware appliances that can cost as much as several home computers each (thousands of dollars or more). 3) This is considered acceptable behaviour, as end users are very much able to secure their traffic via encryption right from their home computer - not even the ISPs can see what is contained. For example if you were to use HTTPS (SSL) and log in securely to, say, your online bank account at a banking website, they could not tell at all what is there. Keep in mind that they technically own the connection, you are simply "leasing" bandwidth from them. If you want to find out what they might do with that connection, read your Terms of Service agreement with the ISP. ISPs do not surreptitiously snoop and read your traffic without good reason, and even then are very hesitant even to give information to law enforcement without a warrant (it's bad for business). Yes it is true some governments have surveillance programs, and some ISPs openly work with said governments on said programs, but that is a completely different discussion. __________________ TSF Networking Team Virus/Trojan/Spyware Removal Help Donate!