Features
**Now fully compatible with Windows Vista**
WebWatcher's real achievement is that it does, well, pretty much everything. Further, while most applications either block OR monitor Internet activity, WebWatcher does both and does both equally well.
WebWatcher does everything you'd expect full-featured Internet monitoring software to do:
- record web site activity
- record chats (IMs)
- log keystrokes
- record email (sent and received)
- record email attachments
- take screenshots automatically
WebWatcher also records Myspace and web-based email (webmail) and can even take snapshots of the screen (also called screen captures)
automatically anytime "important" words appear anywhere in text in any web page.
This is important because it means screenshots are only taken when they need to be.
That way if the person you're monitoring is on the web even
reading about something you should know about, WebWatcher can instantly take a picture of it for your review.
The important distinction here is that other screen shot software, while generally good, does so at timed intervals or in an "always on" mode, which means more data to sift through. In contrast, WebWatcher can be used to just to capture the need-to-know items and bring them to your attention.
While these features are impressive, if your data is trapped on the computer being used by the person you're monitoring, it's of little use.
This is where WebWatcher shines. Since WebWatcher is completely web-based, you can keep an eye on things in near real-time
from anywhere in the world with nothing more than a web browser. It doesn't matter if it's from around the globe or around the corner, you can monitor from anywhere. Once we saw this feature in action, we instantly "got it." We love this feature.
One
very important note here--a question we're often asked about WebWatcher is: do I
have to view recorded data from a different computer than that which WebWatcher is montoring?
Nope. You can always view the recorded data from the
same computer you're monitoring.
In fact, you can even view recorded data for a computer from multiple locations. Think of it this way:
If you have one computer at home, for instance, and want to see what's happening on that computer from that same computer when you're home, fine, no problem--just log into your account; then when you go elsewhere--like to work--and you want to see what's happening on that computer from work since you checked last, fine, no problem--just log into your account!
Normally, we wouldn't include a "how it works" type section like the one below, but in the case of WebWatcher we felt it was important to be sure everyone understands what make is unique.
WebWatcher works like this:
- Install it on the computer the person you want to monitor uses.
- Their activities are silently recorded.
- This information is securely copied into your online account.
- You view this information from anywhere with a web browser.
With WebWatcher you can watch what your kids or other individuals are doing from anywhere with nothing more than a web browser.
Most other software we reviewed
requires that you sit at the computer the person you're monitoring uses anytime you want to review recorded data.
Doing this once is bad enough, but for those parents and other consumers looking to be unobtrusive, having to constantly get access to the computer being monitored can be very difficult if not impossible.
With WebWatcher, this isn't a concern though, since you can keep an eye on things from anywhere. This feature alone puts WebWatcher at the top of the heap--to say nothing for the rest of its great features.
WebWatcher's only real shortcoming is that it has no mechanism for blocking P2P (Peer-to-Peer) applications. With the growth of illegal music downloading and movie piracy that takes place on P2P networks, this is a feature we'd like to see them add to their next release.
We're also a bit disappointed there's no version for the Apple Mac, but as this will not affect most consumers, who use Windows XP anyway, it's understandable.
Ease of use
We found WebWatcher to be
quite easy to use. We expected a program with this much versatility to be difficult to install and run, but it was actually quite simple.
We also liked that for most folks there's really nothing (or certainly little) to configure, and that you don't have to worry about firewalls, IP addresses, or network access or any overly technical setup.
We tested this by installing the software on multiple computers and randomly connected the machines to different Internet Service Providers (including a wireless service) to see if WebWatcher would still record (and that we could get to the data right away) -- and it did.
Why? We did it to test what would happen if someone was connecting from different places--like someone travelling with a laptop.
Impressive.
That it can be run with no/so little configuration for most people, and that it's "firewall friendly" is a huge bonus in our eyes.
(N.B. According to the vendor, because their software starts recording with no configuration, they're getting traction with schools and companies that need to keep tabs on computers that're often moving from location to location.)
Additionally, since it's possible to monitor as many computers as you need to from the same web-based interface, WebWatcher really is the easiest software to use no matter how many people (or computers) you need to monitor.
Monitoring effectiveness
First of all, let it be said that this is the most invisible product we've ever tested. When they say it's invisible, they're not kidding. It didn't show up anywhere!
During our tests it performed as advertised without a hitch. If it said it was going to record something, it recorded it every time.
Also, with a high-speed internet connection the data appeared very quickly--just seconds behind the event. This means you can watch your kids', employees' or your spouse's Internet activity pretty much in real-time
even while they're still using the computer.
We gave it a positive nod for that for sure.
Accessibility of information
For our money this is what separates WebWatcher from the pack. Because it's completely web-based, you can see the recorded activity from anywhere at any time.
Once you've seen this in action, it's hard to imagine using monitoring software without it.
Customer Support
Their customer support was fast and knowledgeable. Their support hours are good (not
quite as extensive as some of their competitors but still very good.)
We liked that they even offer live web-based chat from within their customer interface web site in case questions arise as you use the software. This chat feature can be handy when you need to get a question answered quickly.
As the only truly web-based computer activity / Internet monitor, WebWatcher is in a league of its own. With a complete suite of powerful features it includes (among other things) a web site monitor, a chat recorder, an invisible, nearly perfect key logger, and an automated screenshot capture tool. WebWatcher also has the rare ability of both effective monitoring and web site blocking.
