Features
**Now fully compatible with Windows 7**
WebWatcher's real achievement is that it does, well, pretty much everything. Furthermore, 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 computer monitoring software to do:
- record website activity
- record chats (IMs, Facebook messages)
- log keystrokes (keylogger)
- record email (sent and received)
- record email attachments
- take screenshots automatically
WebWatcher also records Myspace, Facebook, and web-based email (webmail); it can even take snapshots of the screen (also called screenshots) 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 screenshot 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 monitoring?
Nope. You can always view the recorded data from the same computer you're monitoring.
How it works
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 it unique. Below we’ve outlined the four steps to getting the software installed and ready for monitoring:
WebWatcher works like this:
- Install it on the computer the person you want to monitor uses.
- Their activities are silently recorded.
- Recorded activity is securely copied into your online account.
- You view this information from anywhere with a web browser.
Where the other software we reviewed required physical access to the monitored computer, WebWatcher boasts remote monitoring access. In layman’s terms, you can view all recorded information via any computer with an internet connection. This means that WebWatcher lets you watch what your kids or other individuals are doing from anywhere with nothing more than a web browser.
We're a bit disappointed that there's no version for an Apple Operating System. Since Windows PCs still control the market share, we can understand why this compatibility has been delayed.
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 very little) to configure. You don't have to worry about firewalls, IP addresses, network access, or any overly technical setup.
We tested this by installing the software on multiple computers and randomly connecting 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.
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.
(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.)
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!
A primary concern of most monitoring software users is whether the program will be found or leave a trace of it running. That’s why we spent a large portion of our time testing the detectability of WebWatcher – since it has enhanced remote access functionality, we were curious to see whether it would compromise its invisibility on the machine.
We found that the software remained completely undetectable in every scenario, including anti-virus and malware scans, task manager applications and processes, and program file searches.
During our tests it performed as advertised without a hitch. The keylogger functionality was very thorough and cleanly displayed in the interface, along with all computer screenshots and web activity. Bottom line: 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. As we mentioned earlier in the review, WebWatcher is completely web-based, allowing users to 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
WebWatcher’s 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 and Internet monitor, our WebWatcher review uncovered that it is in a league of its own. With a complete suite of powerful features, it includes (among other things) a website monitor, chat recorder, an invisible and nearly perfect keylogger, and an automated screenshot capture tool. WebWatcher also has the rare ability of both effective monitoring and website blocking.
