IP: Orwellian software

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

> Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 19:48:06 -0500
> To: farber () cis upenn edu
> From: "Thomas Petzinger, Jr." <tom () petzinger com>
> Subject: Orwellian software
>
> Dave,
>
> Difficult to imagine anyone distributing this press release with a straight
> face...
>
> cheers,
> tom petzinger
>
>
> For Immediate Release: January 24, 2000
>
> Keystroke and PC Monitoring Advisory Added to WinWhatWhere's Investigator 2.05
>
> Kennewick, WA January 24, 2000 -- WinWhatWhere Corporation today announced
> the addition of a Notification Banner to its controversial Investigator
> 2.05 software to give clear and unequivocal notice to users that by using
> the system they are expressly consenting to monitoring. Administrators will
> be able to customize the optional notice to include any additional company
> computer use policy or other documentation. The banner is displayed
> whenever the system or Investigator is started and requires an
> acknowledgement from the user.
>
> [snip]
>
> Investigator 2.05 invisibly monitors all keyboard and application activity
> to provide comprehensive and detailed forensic information on computer
> usage. Investigator covertly monitors and documents when an application
> started, who ran it, how long it ran, all window titles, and keyboard
> activity giving a complete picture of PC usage. The program's "Stealth
> Email" feature silently emails usage data to any email address without user
> awareness. In stealth mode, Investigator is virtually impossible to detect
> or remove except by the systems manager. Investigator can also be set up
> with the users full knowledge and awareness.
>
> Investigator 2.05 is tailored for the investigative and security needs of
> corporate computer systems for discovering computer fraud and misuse in
> exact detail. Ideal for "Authorized User" investigations, Investigator's
> unique ability to invisibly monitor all keyboard and application activity
> makes it ideally suited to the needs of business, law enforcement,
> government, and private individuals.
>
> Investigator 2.05 runs on all Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, 2K PC's and is
> compatible with standard networks. Investigator requires a minimum of 12 MB
> disk space and 8 MB of RAM.
>
>
> Investigator is available immediately from WinWhatWhere Corporation and
> costs $99. Volume discounts and site licensing available. Users can
> download 14-day evaluation software and purchase directly at the
> WinWhatWhere web site:
>
> http://www.winwhatwhere.com
>
> For additional press information and evaluation software, please contact
> Tom Wolf, Computer Press Incorporated, twolf () cpinews com, (206) 903-1730,
> or Richard Eaton, at WinWhatWhere Corp. (509) 585-9293 or (888) 239-5396.
>
> - END -
>
> WinWhatWhere Corp. received the 1997 PC Magazine On-line "Best Networking
> Software Award" and numerous other high acclaims. WinWhatWhere was founded
> in 1991 and has supplied software to a variety of government agencies,
> corporations, financial institutions, and individuals
>
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> Thomas Petzinger Jr.
> please visit www.petzinger.com
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~