Remote mouse viewing is nothing new. Theres plenty of software out there that allows users to transmit their mouse movements and activity to another users screen. In a sense it was only a matter of time before the website usability trade got a hold of this concept.
A company called apefailure are one of the first companies on the scene. Robotreplay are also hot on their heels. The new services are Essentially just like looking over the persons shoulder while they surf your site. Activity is tracked from the moment you enter a site using the script until the moment you leave it.
What about my right to privacy?
Unfortunately you never had any in the first place. The vast majority of computers contain spyware that monitor your surfing for marketing purposes. Many sites already use services such as google analytics. These give incredibly detailed statistics about your surfing behaviour. The only new thing about this is that it doesnt just record your activity - it watches your every mouse movement. It lends a very personalised touch to something that was previously very generalised.
Better usability
As with any product that has a hard sell there tends to be a big advantage to make up for it. In this case its usability. By watching mouse movements webmasters can optimise their websites to make them easier to use for those who visit them, and more profitable. You can watch, for instance, a user that goes to the final confirmation of payment for one of your products and then backs out. Understanding customers is big business.
Can I protect my privacy online?
Yes! Most modern browsers give users the ability to disable Javascripts from running while browsing. This will prevent the required mouse surveillance scripts from being activated. Unfortunately many (poorly designed?) sites use Javascript in their core functionality. Users therefore stand to lose a great deal of quality in their surfing as a result.
In the wrong hands
Personally, I have many concerns about the potential uses of software like this in the wrong hands. Its worth noting though that the software only displays your browser window (rather than your computer screen). Certainly though the creators of this service will need to be aware of the potential negative power of this technology. Ultimately this technology has so much potential that it will be used regardless of our views on it. The most we can do is learn to live with it or disable it.
Article source: http://www.grumpycoder.co.uk
Original article: http://www.grumpycoder.co.uk/say-goodbye-to-your-internet-privacy/
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