Monitoring is the monitoring of actions, many activities, or information for the purpose of collecting, impacting, managing, or controlling information. This may include remote monitoring using electronic devices such as CCTV (closed circuit television) and interception of electronically transmitted information such as Internet traffic. It may also include simple technical methods such as collecting human information or intercepting emails.

Video Surveillance System is used by citizens to protect their neighbourhood. Governments also collect information on espionage, crime prevention, protect processes, individuals, groups, and objects, and investigate crime. It is also used by criminal organizations to plan and commit crimes, and to collect information about criminals, their competitors, suppliers, or customers. Religious groups tasked with exposing heretics and paganism may also monitor. Accountants perform some sort of oversight.

The vast majority of computer surveillance entails monitoring data and Internet traffic. Under the Communications Assistance For Law Enforcement Act in the United States, for example, all phone calls and broadband Internet traffic (emails, site traffic, instant messaging, and so on) must be available for unrestricted real-time monitoring by federal law enforcement authorities.

As a result, automated Internet surveillance machines sift through massive amounts of intercepted Internet data in order to discover and report material that is regarded intriguing or suspect to human investigators.

Targeting specific "trigger" words or phrases, visiting specific types of web sites, or connecting with questionable individuals or groups via email or online chat are all ways to control this process. Read more…