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If you're the one responsible for implementing a company-wide policy on acceptable internet use, then Web Watcher may appeal. While conventional nanny or censorship software attempts to block dodgy material at the point of access, Web Watcher lets everybody surf unrestricted - but not unobserved.
Web Watcher is a simple idea executed well. The network administrator - let's say it's you - first installs a master copy of the program. You then create a small spy program for each employee whose activities you wish to track, and install it on their machine.
This monitor now analyses every web page viewed on the host machine and fires off an alert email to you whenever it suspects that forbidden content is involved. You can also send users an on-screen warning to the effect that their actions are being noted and reported.
The criteria of what is and what is not acceptable can be varied to a limited degree - basically, it's no sex, sport or shopping - and the sensitivity level of reports personalised for each employee. The surveillance period may also be varied so you might, for instance, allow company notebook owners free rein during weekends.
However, Web Watcher's monitoring powers are limited to the web, so newsgroups, email, chat programs and FTP can all be accessed in complete privacy.
Even on the web the program merely scans for keywords, so misunderstandings are bound to occur.
As to whether or not Web Watcher is foolproof, we'll reserve judgement.
Perhaps a more fundamental concern is whether it strikes the right balance between implementing company policy and trusting employees to do the right thing.
The £116 (inc VAT) price tag includes a five-user licence.Features
- Reports visits to pornographic, sports and ecommerce websites
- Sends alert messages to an administrator via email
- Warns the user that their actions are being logged.
Cochrane Research:
0870 800 6208
www.cochrane.nu
All Internet Tools
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