WebWatcher

The only evidence that WebWatcher is installed on a PC is this control console, revealed by pressing a special key combination and entering the password.

Because WebWatcher installs keylogging technology and other monitoring technology, some antivirus products will flag it as dangerous. The installer warns about this and explains how to avoid the problem.

From the remote management console you can set WebWatcher to send a notification when the child enters or views specific alert words. You can choose instant notification or opt for a period summary.

You can also choose to receive notification when the child visits Web sites in specific categories. Instant notification isn't available in this mode.

Parents can define any number of alert word categories and populate them with words and phrases of interest. Typically you would include too-private information like home address and phone number.

Parents receive a notification that specifies the category of the alert, with a link to see the use of the word in context.

WebWatcher can block access to Web sites in almost three dozen categories and many sub-categories. If you choose to enable this feature be sure to block access to anonymizers and proxy circumvention.

This corporate-looking message appears when WebWatcher blocks a site. Parents can choose a different message by requesting a change from Awareness Technologies.

WebWatcher can limit the use of specific programs or program types to particular hours.

WebWatcher can snap a screenshot any time it detects alert words in specified categories. Parents can choose to snap when the word is typed, viewed, or both.

WebWatcher can capture periodic screenshots whenever specific programs are in use. Parents can adjust the interval and maximum duration if desired.

WebWatcher can also capture periodic screenshots whenever the child is visiting predefined or user-specified Web sites.

The program records every Web site the child has visited and flags any that include alert words. Parents can click a link to see the exact page that was viewed.

WebWatcher records all instant messaging conversations over AIM, Yahoo, or MSN Messenger. Alert words found in the message are highlighted.

The program logs all keystrokes and breaks them down by program. Here it has captured the username and password for Yahoo Messenger.

From the remote console parents can view thumbnails of actual activity on the monitored computer. Clicking any thumbnail displays the full-sized snapshot.

The remote console displays a log of all search terms entered in Google and other popular search engines.

The product pays special attention to Facebook and MySpace activity, recording all messages, chats, and pages viewed. It also captures periodic screenshots.

This configurable dashboard, available only in the Premium edition, gives parents an overview of activity on the monitored computer.

Parents can populate the dashboard with any of over 30 items. The many choices include lists of violations, charts of Web usage, and usage trends over time.