Chat Logging and Email Logging

Chat logging and email logging are performed by Spyware programs that may be beneficial or may be malicious.

Chat logging and email logging keep track of all chats and emails performed from a computer and store them in a password protected file for later viewing.

If you are a parent you may want to use such programs that will keep track of what your child is doing at the computer.  Children can get into real trouble on the Internet and do not have the experience to judge the character of the relationships they develop in chat rooms or by email.

Additionally, there's no telling where your child will surf - and some places on the Internet are downright dangerous for children.  A logging program can tell you if your child is attending chat rooms that are harmful.

It can be useful for businesses, too. 

Logging programs can help employers ensure that their employees are not saying things in chat rooms that could compromise the company, or they can protect both the company and the employees from disgruntled customers who misconstrue the content of an mail correspondence with a technician.

Monitoring what your employees are saying in emails helps you develop protocol training, provide advance warning of possible breaches in company or customer confidentiality, and warn you if an employee is spending too much time on personal email.

The downside is when hackers develop or modify such programs to spy on you, and there is no way for you to know if it is happening.