Legitimate Spyware

Hi guys,

I have been looking round on the net for a legitimate piece of software that will allow us to monitor the PC use in our shop.

After reading the article above about the scam software awards I don't really know what to trust. I will explain why we feel we need to do this & maybe you guys can recommend something.

We have a EPOS system installed on a windows based PC with internet connection & use Outlook as we as Twitter & Facebook for updates. However, offering this leaves the system open to abuse by staff & on several occasions have caught them using Facebook when they have other duties to do.

Now, I don't mind them using it when it is quiet & there is nothing to do but it seems that this isn't an option any more. So I want to deter them using 'personal' sites without restricting them. So my thoughts were a keylogging software that would email me reports (as I am on a different site). Looking on the web I am left lost what is a good/legitimate piece of software to use. I then looked at hardware & may go down this route, although that would require me to email the reports myself every time I am in the shop.

Would you guys recommend any spyware that would be 'safe' to use?

 

I'm not an expert on this type of thing but I think restricting access to certain sites would be a better approach than the spyware approach. Sorry I can't give you instructions on how to do this but I've seen such restrictions discussed in forums, so I'm pretty sure it can be done.

Hopefully, someone else can provide details on ways to restrict access.

 

Greetings, MagusUK.

IMO, it would be both safer and easier to set up user accounts for the staff and restrict access.
A local business here had a great idea: restricted user accounts for the staff, and one 'elevated' account (with internet rights) which is shared, but timed - much like the library sign-in routines. It's very easy to keep tabs on this type of setup, and the staff don't seem to mind.
Might not apply in your situation, but I think anythng's better than keylogging or monitoring software.

EDIT: sorry, 'Vet - didn't see you.

 

Welcome to Major Geeks.
Look through here. You might find something that will do what you want.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads2.html

 

The creation of different user accounts isn't really an option as the System needs to be 'on' all the time to receive any email orders from the website. restricting the sites in question is also invalid as we use them as a business to promote new arrivals & promotions, & the girls in-store do that.

I will have a look at the list of software see what I can find but i am tempted to just tell them something is installed even if it isn't or maybe just attach the hardware keylogger as a deterrent for them to sign on to personal accounts.

Thanks guys.

 

If it's just internet usage you're concerned with, you might take a look at this thread - might get some foundation ideas about throttling bandwidth.

 

I was thinking specific websites can be blocked when using a router in your Internet connection. So, I just now tested this on my D-Link DI-524 router at home and succeeded in blocking myself from facebook. When I try to access facebook, my browser displays this message: 401 The web site is blocked by administrator

I found info on this for my router at http://support.dlink.com/emulators/di524_revc/help_adv.html, under Filters - URL Blocking.

P.S. After the test, I deleted the restriction. I do have a facebook account.