need cheap program to track web history :( 1

[silvere]

hello all,

dreadfully I have to post this message. I need a program that will track employee's internet history. that's all I want it to do...not forward emails or track keystrokes. I am personally against this, but I recently found 700mbs (over 9000 files) of half naked girls on one of the employees computers. obviously we have to do something about it. I will send out a company wide email telling them that they are being tracked. I thought about just putting on a trial verison and telling them it's on there, then not do anything after the trial runs up. I'm sure he won't do it anymore. I need something cheap the ones I've found are $100+

any thoughts or suggestions?

thanks
Andy

 

[AlexIT]

I would normally recommend Web Marshal (Net IQ) but its probably 800USD for 25 user license or such. In our larger clients this is usually acceptable.

For smaller offices, since we always recommend using roaming profiles, there is a copy of the user's Internet "History" folder on the server. Very few users know about the settings, so these are usually defaulted to storing 20 days activity. I would periodically scan through these (bi-monthly) and if I find something that is specifically forbidden by the written company policy I would forward copies of my findings to the employee's manager and the company's IT department head. We also suggest there is a briefing for employees about "acceptable use" done before placing any monitoring method online (for the "you can't say we didn't WARN you...")

Most policies tends to be vague on certain items (shop guys tend to put up screen savers, wall paper, etc. that are at the edge of nudity but the calendar's their suppliers sends are the same way!) If the company says no scantilly-clad, partially-nude, completely-nude, or otherwise "offensive" materials may be present then you have guidelines.

IMPORTANT: Make sure your bosses (and their bosses etc.) will stand behind IT dept before you bother with any monitoring.

Alex

 

[silvere]

Alex

thanks for the helpful post. I didn't think about clarifying what acceptable browsing is. my intent isn't to stop people from checking their personal email or bank accounts.

roaming profiles is a great idea. however, we cut corners in the beginning and went with xp home. finally I put my foot down when it came to the engineering department and went with xp pro. but, unfortunately the guy I'm concerned with is on xp home.

any other ideas?

thanks
Andy

 

[redlikeme]

There should be a bunch of freeware applications that allow you to review the user's browing habits.

Been a while since I've used these tools, so I'm not sure if they are still around:

Cache Reader
Galetta - Cookie Reader
Pasco - IE Index Viewer
Spider

Most people don't realize that MS creates hidden files (index.dat) within IE to store everything the user has done.

Hope this helps.

 

[MasterRacker]

To expand on Alex's post - Draft up an acceptable use document and make sure management approves of all the wording. In most companies, every employee has to read and sign the document before they are given access. This is why management must approve the document as it becomes official company policy they are responsible for.


Jeff
The future is already here - it's just not widely distributed yet...

 

[MattWray]

Alex,

how does the licensing work with WebMarshal? Is it per user scanned?

It looks like a good tool...

Thanks,

Matt Wray

GFH

http://www.sss-steel.com

 

[AlexIT]

Its very powerful, but the users issue is strange. I believe it maintains a connections history and tracks numbers of users that way. (It doesn't act like floating licenses...if you buy 10 licenses for 11 users, you get a message when the 11th user logs in even if he's the only user online at the time.) We recommend Mail Marshal and Web Marshal together, throw this on a junk "server" (i.e. old PC) and make that the only point of HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP contact from the firewall to all users/servers. Uses SQL Server and logs just about everything. (In Mail Marshal I've had client ask about an e-mail sent 3 mos ago from a user no longer at the company (so Exchange MB deleted), I searched in Mail Marshal and found it, the reply, etc. all the way up the chain.)

Alex

 

[tojo1450]

I'm in the same "Boat." I've got two clients who have too much internet activity, and wishes to find out who's doing what & where. The IP's are created off the router so I'm looking for somthing that sits on the server, and monitors "internet," activity. They're not concerned with downloing of (as in your case porn), but are aware users are bogging band-width with downloads when they should be WORKING. If I hear of anything I email you.

Ed
fasteddie714@hotmail.com

 

[AlexIT]

Unless they have a valid reason to be online, just deny access to the internet during working hours. Otherwise web marshal will at least let you know what sites they visit.

Alex

 

[MattWray]

Thanks Alex! I have a Web Demo here in about 15 minutes... I'm hopeful this is exactly what we are looking for...

Thanks,

Matt Wray

GFH

http://www.sss-steel.com

 

[bcastner]

Sit down at their machine, unannounced, and review the IE History log with them.

Have another supervisor with you.

Talk about the problem.

 

[Dalong]

Just set up an HTTP proxy (Squid comes to mind), require that ALL outgoing HTTP go through the proxy (easy : configure your Internet router to reject any outgoin TCP/80 and such if they are not coming from the proxy) and analyze the proxy logs regularly.
If you want to be able to pinpoint users (as opposed to client machines' IP), configure the proxy to request authentication before opening an outgoing connexion.
It's easy and almost foolproof. And cheap (0 $)

 

[MattWray]

Well I had the Demo of Mail and Web Marshal and I am definitely recommending them to Mgmt. Too bad I can't give the thumbs up...

But both products look outstanding to say the least.

Star to AlexIT for turning me on to this great piece of software!

Thanks,

Matt Wray

GFH

http://www.sss-steel.com