snooper
Uninvited curious observer
A snooper is someone who pries into other people's affairs, poking around where they don't belong.
The word carries connotations of sneakiness—a snooper rifles through drawers, reads private messages, or eavesdrops on conversations: I caught the little snooper going through my emails.
Less judgmentally, snooper can describe investigative software or devices that monitor network activity.
Intrusively curious
- pryingIntrusively inquisitive
- meddlesomeProne to interfering
- intrusiveInvading others' privacy
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
buttinsky · busybody · interfering · nosiness · rubbernecker · curtain-twitcher · peeping · yenta
Private investigator
- investigatorOne who examines evidence
- gumshoeInformal term for detective
- inspectorOfficial quality checker
- caseContainer or instance
clue · mystery · whodunit · deduction · evidence · forensics · crime · noir
Accidentally catch speech
- wiretapHidden listening device
- buggingSecretly recording conversations
- interceptSeize en route
- tappingRepeated light striking
listener · earpiece · recording · conversation · whisper · surveillance · monitor · spyware
Unauthorized system accessor
- spywareHidden surveillance program
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- keyloggerSoftware recording typed input
- trackerOne who follows trails
cookies · phishing · data-mining · password · account · privacy · breach · cyberstalking
Covert intelligence gathering
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- covertIntentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
intelligence · infiltration · reconnaissance · informant · mole · counterintelligence · operative · handler
nosy
Intrusively curious
- pryingIntrusively inquisitive
- meddlesomeProne to interfering
- intrusiveInvading others' privacy
gossip · buttinsky · busybody · interfering · nosiness · rubbernecker · curtain-twitcher · peeping · yenta · kibitzer
sleuth
Private investigator
- investigatorOne who examines evidence
- gumshoeInformal term for detective
- inspectorOfficial quality checker
case · clue · mystery · whodunit · deduction · evidence · forensics · crime · noir · interrogate
overhear
Accidentally catch speech
tapping · listener · earpiece · recording · conversation · whisper · surveillance · monitor · spyware
hacker
Unauthorized system accessor
- spywareHidden surveillance program
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- keyloggerSoftware recording typed input
tracker · cookies · phishing · data-mining · password · account · privacy · breach · cyberstalking · metadata
espionage
Covert intelligence gathering
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- covertIntentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
undercover · intelligence · infiltration · reconnaissance · informant · mole · counterintelligence · operative · handler · classified
- pet memesdoggo, pupper, catto, floof, boop
- nosy peoplebusybody, meddler, eavesdropper, nosy parker, yenta
- intrudersintruder, trespasser, invader, burglar, prowler
- snoop aroundSearch secretively through spaces
- snooping aroundCovert informal investigation
- snooped aroundSearched secretively through belongings
- Snoop Dogg