[RESOLVED] Monitoring network users

[SpongeHead]

I am looking for some software to run on a network to monitor what the users are doing.

ie. viewing their screens. I did use Landesk Manager on a Novel network & wonder is there similar software for Windows 2000.

Thanks for any help.

[PJPilate]

You could use SMS from Microsoft, but a better product is Zenworks from Novell, which will run on any NDS product...

**** Insert MAJOR Netware Plug Here ****

[Stalemate]

I use SMS at work to do remote control functions on users' PCs. That solution involves the use of a seperate server (or 2 if you want to run SQL independantly) and is rather costly (inventory management, file retrieval, remote deployment, etc.).

For a simpler and free approach, you can try VNC (Virtual Network Client) from ATT. It runs in a browser window.

Be aware though that you have to get clearance from your superiors to conduct "surveillance" on a user, if that was your intent.

I would recommend getting that in writing, just to make sure you don't open yourself up for all sorts of legal proceedings.

[shamus]

you acn also use Netmeeting. I learned about it here in the Forums. (can't remember who posted it..sorry) You can set it up to share the desktop, then you 'call' the other machine. Works great.

adept is right about the privacy issue.

[Gollo]

[quote]Originally posted by adept:
<strong>
For a simpler and free approach, you can try VNC (Virtual Network Client) from ATT. It runs in a browser window.

Be aware though that you have to get clearance from your superiors to conduct "surveillance" on a user, if that was your intent.

I would recommend getting that in writing, just to make sure you don't open yourself up for all sorts of legal proceedings. </strong><hr></blockquote>

I agree

[emr]

If you are wanting to monitor them without there knowledge and use VNC just a warning. The little VNC tray icon goes black when you are connected to there computer. I'm pretty sure it stays that way for the duration of the session although it's been a while since I used it so I am not 100 % sure.

Never know what your user might notice so if you are trying to catch someone in the act it may backfire.

As for Netmeeting, I've never used it so I don't know if it would "show your presence"?

[SpongeHead]

I am a network administrator in a small college & I need to monitor internet access ie porn downloads & chatroom abuse.

Thank you for your help & advice.


* A problem shared, is a problem haved.

[PJPilate]

Dont you read your spam?

havent you gotten the email saying that you can spy on anyone's computer? This is revolutionary stuff!!!

::end sarcasm::

[Daemon]

ahhhh just sniff the network

I love doing this and read peeps email Kinda funny. Oh and a good porn catcher

[Stalemate]

[quote]Originally posted by SpongeHead:
<strong>I am a network administrator in a small college & I need to monitor internet access ie porn downloads & chatroom abuse.

Thank you for your help & advice.


* A problem shared, is a problem haved.</strong><hr></blockquote>

That's a lot of workstations to monitor through a remote control utility...

You might be better off with something like <a href="http://www.surfcontrol.com/" target="_blank">SurfControl</a>. You might want to try their trial version to see if it works for you.

[Saber99]

Personally I use PC Anywhere !!! Have to apply the patch when installing on win2k, but you can set it to run as host on the users machines, so it starts with windows. Theres also a reg hack to place the host into stealth mode, so no icon appears, and the user gets no indication that they are being monitored.

BTW - in my work, all users are given brief training in computer use, and also the rules and regulations. they are required to sign a document stating that they understand the policies in place, and that they have been made aware that their computer use may be monitored at any time without their knowledge. The worst users are the Secret Police (sorry - Audit), but we let them away with murder so they dont bust us for having a TFC LAN server and about 50 gig of mp3's on a couple of the company servers :-)

[gtiseb]

Where can I get this reg hack ? I use pcanywhere also and I love it but the onedraw is the icon appearing in the taskbar, I would love to remove it.

[SubZero]

I use netmeeting to remote control a server to do admin tasks without going to the computer room. If you are wanting to catch porn, you need somekind of internet filtering software, and block certain chat ports on your firewall. That would be more effective than watching the desktops of certain computers.

[Ya_know]

[quote]Originally posted by gtiseb:
<strong>Where can I get this reg hack ? I use pcanywhere also and I love it but the onedraw is the icon appearing in the taskbar, I would love to remove it.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Ditto!

Anyone got that hack?

[SpongeHead]

Thank you all for your help.

I am now using a piece of software called
What are you doing? on a 30 day trial.

It meets all my needs.

Thanks again.