Those evildoers who create spyware have apparently found legitimate employment at Solid Oak Software, making the SnoopStick, a USB flash drive that lets you spy on unsuspecting PC users by planting undetectable software that reports everything back to you, either in real time or recorded.

Aimed at parents who are afraid of the Internet and don't mind sneaking around, it plugs into an unsuspecting kid's PC, where it installs invisible software that can monitor both sides of IM conversations in real time as well as all website access and incoming/outgoing emails. It can also block access to ports and websites, and set allowable times for Internet use. After you've installed its dastardly software, take that USB stick with you, plug it into your own PC and spy away in real time, or see what's been recorded.

The SnoopStick's $60 price makes it fairly easy to get your kids to immediately hate you, but then, if it's as stealthy as its makers claim, your targets might never find out. Seems innocuous enough in the context of parents spying on their kids, but this could be a powerful tool for all types of espionage. To make the overall spying complete, add this LukWerks Spy Camera that looks exactly like an alarm clock, and you'll be able to see, hear, and read everything that's going on, you snoop. Like guns, knives and fire, these are both tools that could be used for good or ill. — Charlie White

Solid Oak Software, via Techie Diva