PC utilities: need to track my teen daughters.
need to track my teen daughters.
by lawsonbunch72010 - 12/12/07 5:58 AMI have 2 teeenage daughters that use the internet alot, and I need and want to be able to access where they go, and thier passwords for the sites they visit, ect. They have friends that inform them how to erasre thier history, ect, and I have been unable to stealth behind them so far, they even change the settings on the web browser(firefox) so that passwords are not remembered. I need help, is there a share wear or free wear program that will allow me to do what I need.Thanks in advance for anyone that can help me with this.
Logging passwords...
by John.Wilkinson
- 12/12/07 6:54 AM
In reply to: need to track my teen daughters. by lawsonbunch72010
There is plenty of software designed to record websites visited, applications run, take screenshots periodically, and record full IM conversations. NetNanny is currently the premier option with CyberPatrol coming in close behind. They can also restrict access to specific websites, keywords, and internet access during certain hours.
However, logging passwords is not a standard feature, and crosses over into the realm of keyloggers. The issue is that most security software will detect any such program as malware and attempt to remove it, forcibly. You could white-list it, but that doesn't always work with real-time protection or updates, and if the keylogger is linked with the internet control options you could end up locked off line.
Personally, I'd start off with either of the above, both of which offer free trials, and see if the standard monitor-and-block system is sufficient. You'll still get to see everything they say and do online, but without the concern of having spyware on your system. Plus they won't be nearly as upset about having their privacy invaded as they would if you logged their passwords as well.
John
X3 Watch
by SEGMAT - 12/14/07 8:56 PM In reply to: Logging passwords... by John.Wilkinson
Hello,
Do a Google search for X3 Watch, and you'll be directed to a website that allows you to download a great little program. It's called X3 Watch and it sits in your system tray. It monitors mainly for pornography stuff, and every 2 or 4 weeks (you get to choose), it sends an email to 2 "accountability partners" and one of those could be you, and it informs you of the things that your daughters have been visiting that they shouldn't. It can't be easially canceled unless you do a CTRL ALT DEL and remove it, but if that happens, you will be informed in the next email that it was stopped at a certain time.
It's well worth a look.
Matt
I suggest limiting access
by camerams - 12/14/07 11:30 PM In reply to: need to track my teen daughters. by lawsonbunch72010I suggest limiting your children's access, rather than just snooping. If you're concerned about where they are going, let them know that you will be installing software that will tell you where they've been. You are their parent and are concerned about their safety. Some software or subscription services allow you to limit access to web sites, and only allow access to the internet during certain times, etc. Check out http://www.consumersearch.com/www/software/parental-control-software/review.html for software and service reviews and information. The previous post from John offers a lot of common sense information and sites some effective monitoring tools. However, the most effective way of monitoring your girls is to have their computers in a public area and to let them know that you will be monitoring their activity. They may not like it much, but it will work. Good luck!
No you don't.. Give them some trust.
by pj-mckay - 12/14/07 11:39 PM In reply to: need to track my teen daughters. by lawsonbunch72010How can you seriously ask to do this? It's a complete breach of any trust and will simply drive a wedge between you and your kids. They are deleting the history for a reason and you need to accept that. Get a life for yourself and talk to your kids about what they're doing and suggest why they shouldn't be doing others.
YES you need to keep them out of dodgy, risky, bad sites... but totally eavesdropping on their privacy isn't the way to do it. How would you react if you found they were looking at all your site hits, your banking details, cosy chats with firends etc? I wouldn't like it at all!
You're a parent not a spy. Trust them, give them some respect, and they'll give you some back. My three do (and I wouldn't like them knowing my business) !
Not really advisable
by vbhisey - 12/14/07 11:54 PM In reply to: need to track my teen daughters. by lawsonbunch72010As a father of two daughters myself, I feel that no matter what you do, your daughters are going to be one step ahead of you. Kids nowadays are much more savvy in tech matters than parents.
I personally find that it's easier and more advisable to communicate with them in such a manner that they don't need to, or have to hide anything from you, whether it is the sites they see or people that they chat with. Above all, avoid preaching and being judgemental. If they get the feeling that you are trying to snoop on them, the more they will try to hide their activities, and if it gets too much for them, they might access the internet from another location (friend's house, cybercafe, etc.) where you would'nt have any control any way.
I know this is not the advice you are looking for, but I feel that the best way to get their trust is to trust them. We can't possibly control or guide them for the rest of their lives, just give good advice for them to make their own decisions. We just have to hope that they will come to us when they need help and advice, and that really depends on the signals we send them.
Good luck
teens
by alf - 12/15/07 1:57 AM In reply to: need to track my teen daughters. by lawsonbunch72010My dear friend are you mad, I have 3 girls and one is only 11 and there is no way you can beat them on a computer they at 8 know more tricks than you or I could learn in a lifetime on a computer.
Forget it and have some faith in your kids.If that does not work sell them an get boys because they would rather play with girls not computers.
re:need to track
by jtrai491 - 12/15/07 5:29 AM In reply to: need to track my teen daughters. by lawsonbunch72010Check out a company called Spectorsoft. http://www.spectorsoft.com/
I have two daughters now 21 and 18 and found both eBlaster and SpectorPro invaluable when they were younger. Completely stealth.
Track em!
by Bruski - 12/15/07 6:42 AM In reply to: re:need to track by jtrai491I had three teenagers in my home, and I knew they were being inappropriate on the computer. But you can't limit or "ground" them without proof. So I told them I was installing tracking software, to include a key logger. My oldest daughter STILL got caught doing totally inappropriate things with her boyfriend on line. Only she couldn't deny it after we had key logs and a screen shot. I tried several freeware programs, and ended up paying for one instead. I will be at work until Sunday, and I can't remember the name of the program. It was $20 or $30 I think, but well worth it. I will post the name tomorrow if you would like. The program was not real user friendly, but it did let you set up periodical screen shots, it tracked web addresses, IM conversations, and programs run. I also set each child up with their own user account because the program lists usage by Windows user name.
For those that disagree with this, let my state my case. By telling them up front you are installing this software, you are not being nosy or snooping. If they don't like it, they don't have to use the computer. End of story. In her case, the children are already being suspicious themselves by deleting history and such, so I think her actions are warranted.
I have 3 teenagers!!!
by theneumannfamily - 12/15/07 6:46 AM In reply to: need to track my teen daughters. by lawsonbunch72010First off let me say I TOTALLY understand what you are going thru, I have 3 teenagers. I wont go into the WHYS of why I ended up getting a program to do EXACTLY what you are needing. But go to: www.software4parents.com/iambigbrother
I promise you, it will do everything that you are really needing. It does have a keylogger - you see passwords, you can then see what Facebook accounts, myspace accounts they have. It tracks all websites, and keeps logs of all IM's including ones sent phone to computer.
For the ones that say its an invasion of privacy? I say....Ney Ney...it's MY house,and it's my responsibility to protect my children. If I choose to stick my head in the sand and pretend that they are little angels...then I am in lala land. Its time to pull your head out of the sand, and deal with it. What you do with whatever information is up to you. but trust me, there will be times you wish you didnt have to deal with it.
Thank you....The WWW can be very Dangerous
by slimsss2 - 12/15/07 10:57 AM In reply to: I have 3 teenagers!!! by theneumannfamilyI am raising a Granddaughter (13 going on 19/20),,so as a older Pappa(61) maybe I am "old fashioned",,but to see my girls manners,actions,etc. compared to her friends who's parents are in LAA-laa land is astonishing...I am not using a program yet,,but she knows deleting histories etc.(As she also knows I DO look) gets the "Puter un-Plugged".
I Do have all the trust in the world with/in her..But to think looking in on her activities is a breech of that trust would be TOTALLY "irresponsible" on MY part of the child raising duties.
There is NO such thing as the Perfect child/parent..but it is my goal to recieve @ least a "B" on this score...Thank you....Slim
ps....I actually look @ the report card toooo....LOL..
I think the prog you
by rykdawgg6601 - 12/15/07 6:23 PM In reply to: I have 3 teenagers!!! by theneumannfamilyare talking about is called "Family Cyber Alert". I am using this program to track my childrens' web access and behavior online. It is a keylogging program, and will show screenshots of files accessed, websites visited, IM messages, and is affordably priced. It doesn't show up on the task bar. The feature I liked best was that it was a "hidden" program, and can ONLY be accessed if you know the password. I am using a couple AV and anti-spy programs, and while Cyber Alert does show up as a potential threat, it's not hard to configure them to ignore.
You cannot be too careful where your children are concerned. I'm of the opinion that if they give you reason to suspect, you have reason to search until you are satisfied nothing is amiss. Trust, but verify. And for the poster who trusts his children implicitly with the internet, take time to watch the Dateline NBC shows regarding child predators.
invasion of privacy
by jaydanie - 12/15/07 10:22 AM In reply to: need to track my teen daughters. by lawsonbunch72010wouldn't it be better to make them get some sort of job and keep them busy? my son is 10 yrs old and he has a computer, but he mostly just plays games and when he's not on the computer he's practicing his sax for band. keep them busy so they don't have time to get into trouble.
i have no idea what a teenager does online, but i bet is't mostly bs.
Wow
by SEGMAT - 12/15/07 10:37 AM In reply to: invasion of privacy by jaydanieSome of you people are totally insane. Your suggestions are totally rediculous. How can you possibly say that a parent should NOT track what their kids do online. I'm a teenager myself, with my own computer, and my parents trust me because I put some of that software on myself. I have it set to email my parents every 2 weeks with the things I've been doing. That's why my parents trust me.
Many parents are a step behind their kids every step of the way. However, that's not necessary. For example, look at this thread! This is a parent trying to stay one step ahead, not behind, their kids. Again, a totally stupid and uneducated comment.
As for the comment that parents should make communication very easy, and just blindly trust... that NEVER works. STUPID AND UNEDUCATED...
It is not a breach of trust doing this, you're the damn parent aren't you? They live under your roof don't they?
Lastly, "You're a parent not a spy. Trust them, give them some respect, and they'll give you some back. My three do (and I wouldn't like them knowing my business) !" Why would you say that? Maybe you don't want that kind of software on the computer becuase you don't want it tracking you!
I can't believe some people are so stupid.
Matt
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