I know that domestic shame should not be published, however, there is one thing that really bedevils me. I suspect that my wife is having an affair with a coworker but I am not sure about it. She is constantly lying to me about her work and comes home very late at night. One night while she was asleep I got into her laptop (I can't get into her cell phone as she has locked it and I have no password) and I found several pictures of man in her computer. They work in the same office, I know. Weirder still, this guy frequently interacts with my wife. I would like to have some more evidence to clear all my doubt. ( Or the most terrible thing is that it might prove my thought)

The evidence such as her Emails or Facebook chat conversations is very important when I take this case to court because we have YOUNG children and I want child support. That's why I am going to put spy software in her computer. One thing that I must point out is that I gave the laptop to my wife as her birthday gift last year. The software will keep track of everything, like Emails, IM messages, pictures and send them to an online account. My friend told me to use it because it worked for her but I don't know if it's legal and if it would even be usable in court. Has anyone here had experience before like me?Short answer: no, it's not, but no idea about a court situation.

I think this is one of those topics where there are a lot of gray areas and it's something people often have strong opinions about. I mean, we have family friends who SWEAR by using KEYLOGGING software like http://www.refog.com/keylogger/ to monitor their teenage daughter's (13 yr old) online activity, to keep an eye on who she's talking to (making sure she's not talking to strangers I assume) and to make sure she's keeping to websites that are appropriate for her AGE. They don't check on it too frequently, and they've obviously talked to her seriously about things to be careful of online, but I think they feel that the knowledge it's there will encourage her to be sensible and responsible - and it means they don't have to watch over her too obtrusively. So yes, this kind of software has its uses.

Without wanting to wade in and give my opinion on your own situation. I think the best way forward would be to talk about your concerns with your wife. Relationships fail because a lack of communication - so just talk to her.Obviously, this isn't a legal forum. If you want legal advice from people who are real lawyers- well, you'll have to hire one, I suppose. But if you want advice from people who can pretend to be lawyers I'm sure there are forums around.

Now, that said....

This is something you hear about quite a lot. ALmost everybody has smartphones, laptops, computers, etc. And when it comes to situations like this, it becomes adversarial long before anything legal occurs- typically, at the breakdown of any relationship (friends, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, etc) it turns into a battle. And this is exactly the sort of thing that comes up- and people- like yourself- want to take matters into their own hands by secretly collecting evidence.

The thing is- from a legal standpoint- There can easily be legal consequences associated with accessing that private information and/or conversations, This is probably a result if it being a criminal offence in most sane countries. Privacy laws do not suddenly no longer apply because the person who's privacy you are invading happens to be your spouse! Ironically, doing so can actually have the completely opposite effect that you intend- the evidence could be either thrown out entirely, or your method of acquiring it could be used by "the other side" to prove that you are an "insecure control freak" (Just an example, Of course!). It probably also doesn't help that installing spyware or secretly recording conversations (online or otherwise) is a criminal offence, as I mentioned.Thank you. But how can I figure out the doubts in my mind. Maybe I live with a person who doen't love me or is cheating me worse. I hate being cheated.I like what BC said. The best way to deal  with personal conflict is to directly address the issue openly, face-to-face.
In some cases, one must talk to the other party in complete privacy. On other occasions one must have another person be a witness to the conversation. But using hidden cameras., microphones or other 'spy' tools can backfire and destroy reconciliation.
It is alarming how person privacy and security are being undermined. The law seems to now lean toward expertise, power and money, not decency.
Microsoft Lync lets employers spy on employees NSA-style

Another reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Lync
Perhaps the OP is thinking 'If the big guys do it, so can the rest of us.' 
Quote from: Geek-9pm on September 17, 2014, 07:59:27 PM

I like what BC said. The best way to deal  with personal conflict is to directly address the issue openly, face-to-face.
In some cases, one must talk to the other party in complete privacy. On other occasions one must have another person be a witness to the conversation. But using hidden cameras., microphones or other 'spy' tools can backfire and destroy reconciliation.
It is alarming how person privacy and security are being undermined. The law seems to now lean toward expertise, power and money, not decency.
Microsoft Lync lets employers spy on employees NSA-style

Another reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Lync
Perhaps the OP is thinking 'If the big guys do it, so can the rest of us.' 

I know that domestic shame should not be published, however, there is one thing that really bedevils me. I suspect that my wife is having an affair with a coworker but I am not sure about it. She is constantly lying to me about her work and comes home very late at night. One night while she was asleep I got into her laptop (I can't get into her cell phone as she has locked it and I have no password) and I found several pictures of man in her computer. They work in the same office, I know. Weirder still, this guy frequently interacts with my wife. I would like to have some more evidence to clear all my doubt. ( Or the most terrible thing is that it might prove my thought)

The evidence such as her Emails or Facebook chat conversations is very important when I take this case to court because we have young children and I want child support. That's why I am going to put spy software in her computer. One thing that I must point out is that I gave the laptop to my wife as her birthday gift last year. The software will keep track of everything, like Emails, IM messages, pictures and send them to an online account. My friend told me to use it because it worked for her but I don't know if it's legal and if it would even be usable in court. Has anyone here had experience before like me?