itSMF Bulletin June 2022 | Page 17

THE CONFRONTATION

What is now scary is that the employee versus boss covert confrontation is now in full swing. As employers introduce new methods of surveillance, employees respond with innovative ways of thwarting the “bossware”.

When employers started to monitor keyboard strokes, the random keyboard input device was invented. When employers started to monitor what was happening on an employee screen, a tool was invented that cycled through a prepared list of webpages at regular intervals.

When an employee found a way to block the use of mouse jigglers, an employer tied his mouse to his desk fan which moved the mouse back and forth. Block that one boss!

Below are a list of the convert devices, applications, and employee practices being used to simulate activity so the boss thinks you are always on!

Enter the covert devices, apps, and practices

Joining the cast are:

Mouse jigglers   

Place your mouse on top of the device and simulate mouse movements.

Mouse movers

Another name for the jiggler

Lego robot mouse mover

Build your own Lego mouse mover

Paper clip in the keyboard insert key

Jam a paper clip into the insert key keeps the keyboard active

Awake with a cup

Glass keeps laser mouse active

Mouse on an analog watch

Movement of second hand activates the mouse

Toy train

Connect your mouse to the toy train and let it run

Upright fan

Tie your mouse to the fan to make it move

Desk fan

Tie your mouse to the fan to make it move

Mouse mover video

Place your mouse over your phone while it’s playing this video – works a treat

Wiggle mouse

Java program wiggles the mouse at user defined intervals

Mouse Recorder Pro

Software that records and repeats mouse movements

Mini Mouse Macro

Mouse and keyboard recording macro

Move Mouse

A utility from Microsoft to simulate user activity

Tiny Task

For Window users to record and repeat actions