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For parents worried about the Internet's potential to expose children to sexual
predators and inappropriate content, parental-control monitoring software that watches
kids' activities and communication on the computer can provide some peace of mind.
We looked at a pair of monitoring applications--SearchHelp's Sentry Remote and SpectorSoft's
eBlaster 6.0 (beta)--and found that both offer stealthy surveillance tools capable
of logging every keystroke typed, every e-mail sent, every application used, every
Web site opened, and every line transmitted in an instant-messaging exchange. In
the end we preferred Sentry Remote, for its superior Web-based monitoring interface
and support for cell phone notifications.
One important point: These programs are monitoring programs only and do not prevent
children from reaching Web sites in sensitive categories (sex, drugs, hate, and
others). For that kind of protection, you'll need content-filtering software, which
is available in some security suites as well as in other parental-control packages.
Sentry Remote ($50 for two computers) offers the ability to alert children to the
presence of the monitoring software. The "visible mode" setting, on by default,
puts an icon for the password-protected application in the system tray near the
clock. Kids can see that the application is there and running, but they can't access
it without your password. Also available is the stealth mode, which hides the program,
even from the Add or Remove Programs menu, so that children can't uninstall it while
you're gone.
Sentry Remote is an aggressive tool that gives the parent live control of the machine
from a remote location. Once the program is installed, its easy-to-use (though jarringly
bright red) interface lets you set limits on what a child can do. With a few mouse
clicks, you can remotely tweak the settings to prevent a child from disabling programs,
lock or shut down the computer, close an IM window when a predetermined violation
occurs, or have a cell phone text message sent if a violation does arise.
You can also preprogram the app to send an e-mail report with its surveillance data,
which can include sites visited, keystrokes logged, e-mail messages sent, applications
used, and more. (By default, the program will send the report once every three days.)
It's nice to see all of the reporting options in the settings tab unchecked by default,
forcing parents to make conscious decisions about how much activity they want to
monitor.
The program's Web interface lets parents log in to the SearchHelp Web site, tie
an account to a monitored PC, and obtain some aggressive remote-watchdog tools.
The Remote TV option, which opens a Java applet, is the equivalent of standing behind
the child, looking live at the computer screen. During my tests, it worked flawlessly
within both Internet Explorer and Firefox to give a view of the monitored computer.
From the Web interface, you can also sort through conversation logs and online chats,
check browser URL history, or intervene and take action in real time to hide or
show the Start button, hide or show the Desktop, hide or show the taskbar, open
or close browser windows, shut down an IM program, or even lock or unlock the computer.
Through a nifty text-chat feature, you can send messages to the child in real time.
Less-Aggressive Alternative
SpectorSoft's eBlaster 6.0, currently in beta, isn't as aggressive as Sentry Remote,
but it is pricier: The company says the final version will cost $100 for one license
when it's available later this month. eBlaster acts as a forwarding service that
e-mails chat logs and e-mail logs, plus data on keystrokes, programs used, Web sites
visited, peer-to-peer files downloaded, and log-on/log-off activity. Unlike Sentry
Remote, eBlaster does not alert children that it is enabled, and it is accessible
only via a preset hot-key that brings up an authentication box for an administrator
password.
Getting it set up is a breeze. The control panel features a three-tab interface
for tweaking the report delivery options. You can use one-click on/off check boxes
to determine the extent of recording violations and sending alerts, as well as computer-usage
restrictions. You can ask to be alerted when certain keywords appear in a chat session,
but you must select those keywords yourself; unlike Sentry Remote, eBlaster does
not include a list of suggested cringe-worthy keywords.
The beta worked well, and the program offers the ability to change any configuration
setting remotely when direct access to the computer is impossible, but it falls
short on true remote monitoring of PC use. Also, the use of e-mail as the sole delivery
mechanism for reporting violations is less convenient than Sentry Remote's Web-based
approach.
Sentry Remote's Web interface--and lower price--make it the winner over eBlaster.
And its password-protected "visible mode" is appealing for parents who need monitoring
software but are wary of invading their children's privacy.
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