need to spy on my kids... 1

herbeapuce · Sep 25, 2007

well the kids are at that age now that everytime I come down to the PC , the history and all the cookied are erased.

where and how can I look at what they do on the

http://www ?

about the registry?

Sorry if this thing is posted in a wrong forum... I didn't find anyting about Parantal control here.

best regards
Stef

eyec · Sep 25, 2007

download and install Family Keylogger. you can also hide it from your AV software and showing up anywhere the kids would see it.

i have monitored my home PCs with it and it is well worth it. the download is a try before you buy or buy it if you like it. it is not crippleware.

make sure you run your SpyBot, Adaware and whatever else you have running and tell it to ignore it.

another program that comes in real handy is IndexDat Suite for looking at system data files to see where they have been surfing even after they delete the cookies & history.

good luck and i hope you find you just have normal curious kids like i had.

rn4it · Sep 26, 2007

you could also install and family proxy software and restrict the type of sites they can go to.

Ed2020 · Sep 26, 2007

Or consider a non-technical solution to the problem...?

Ed Metcalfe.

Please do not feed the trolls.....

SamBones · Sep 26, 2007

This was posted on Tek-Tips a while ago. It hunts down all of the index.dat files and lists every site visited and who was logged on going to that site. It also records cookies and file uploads and downloads. This information is kept even after clearing the browser cache and history.

Code:

<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>IE Spy - by Vengy</TITLE></HEAD><pre>

<script language="VBScript" TYPE="text/vbscript">

' ======================== Let The Games Begin! ========================
' Contact Info
' ------------
' Author: Vengy
' Email : cyber_flash@hotmail.com

' How it works
' ------------
' INDEX.DAT files keep a list of websites you have visited, cookies received and files opened/downloaded.
' As a result anyone can find out what you have been doing on the Internet!
'
' This program scans all history index files looking for any HTTP:// or FILE:// entries.
' If found, they're stored in a file called C:\SPY.HTM along with the user.

' Aside: This program invokes a local windows program called FIND.EXE to
' parse the index.dat files. (I was too lazy to code it myself. ;)

' Have Fun! (-_-)


' ======================== The Banner ========================
document.writeln "INDEX.DAT files keep a list of websites you have visited, cookies received and files opened/downloaded."
document.writeln "As a result anyone can find out what you have been doing on the Internet!"+VBNewLine
document.writeln "This program scans all history index files looking for any HTTP:// or FILE:// entries."
document.writeln "If found, the User/URL's are stored in a file called C:\SPY.HTM."+VBNewLine


' ======================== ActiveX Warning ========================
MsgBox "NOTE: Please click 'Yes' if prompted with the following message:"+VBNewLine+VBNewLine+"An ActiveX control on this page might be unsafe to"+VBNewLine+"interact with other parts of the page. Do you want to"+VBNewLine+"allow this interaction?"+VBNewLine+VBNewLine+"Click OK to start Spy scan ...",vbOKOnly,"Welcome"


' ======================== Setup Objects ========================
Dim oFSO     : Set oFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Dim arrFiles : arrFiles=Array()
Dim oWShell  : Set oWShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")


' ======================== Locate Index.Dat Folder ========================
' ---> WINXP/2K
If oFSO.FolderExists("C:\Documents and Settings\") Then
  index_folder = "C:\Documents and Settings"
' ---> WIN9X
Elseif oFSO.FolderExists("C:\windows\") Then
  index_folder = "C:\windows"
' ---> Browse For Folder
Else
  index_folder = fnGetMyPathVB
End If


' ======================== Start Spy Scan ========================
If index_folder="None" Then
  MsgBox "No Specified Folder. Scan Aborted."
Else
  Set oStartDir = oFSO.GetFolder(index_folder)
  sFileRegExPattern = "\index.dat$"
  RecurseFilesAndFolders oStartDir, sFileRegExPattern
  DisplayResults
End If


' ======================== Find ALL Index.Dat Files ========================
Sub RecurseFilesAndFolders(oRoot, sFileEval)
    Dim oSubFolder, oFile, oRegExp
    Set oRegExp = New RegExp
    oRegExp.IgnoreCase = True

    window.status="Scanning: "+oRoot

    If Not (sFileEval = "") Then
      oRegExp.Pattern = sFileEval
      For Each oFile in oRoot.Files
        If (oRegExp.Test(oFile.Name)) Then
          If (InStr(oFile.Path,"History.IE")<>0) Then
            ReDim Preserve arrFiles(UBound(arrFiles) + 1)
            arrFiles(UBound(arrFiles)) = oFile.Path
          End If
        End If
      Next
    End If

    For Each oSubFolder In oRoot.SubFolders
      RecurseFilesAndFolders oSubFolder, sFileEval
    Next
End Sub


' ======================== Display Results ========================
Sub DisplayResults()

    Dim sReadLine, sArray, start, count,ub
    Const ForReading = 1

    Window.status="Scanning ..."

    Set oTextStream = oFSO.CreateTextFile("C:\spy.bat")
    oTextStream.Write "echo off"+VBNewLine

    count=0
    ub=UBound(arrFiles)
    For Each elem In arrFiles
      count=count+1
      document.writeln elem
      oTextStream.Write "echo Remaining Scans: "+CStr(ub+1-count)+VBNewLine
      oTextStream.Write "find "+chr(34)+"[URL unfurl="true"]http://"+chr(34)+"[/URL] "+chr(34)+elem+chr(34)+" >>c:\spy.txt"+VBNewLine
      oTextStream.Write "find "+chr(34)+"file://"+chr(34)+" "+chr(34)+elem+chr(34)+" >>c:\spy.txt"+VBNewLine
    Next

    oTextStream.Close

    If count=0 Then
      Window.status="Aborted."
      MsgBox "No Index.dat files found. Scan Aborted."
      Exit Sub
    End If

    oWShell.Run "c:\spy.bat", , True

    oFSO.DeleteFile "C:\spy.bat"

    If oFSO.FileExists("C:\spy.htm") Then
      oFSO.DeleteFile "C:\spy.htm"
    End If

    Set oTextStream = oFSO.CreateTextFile("C:\spy.htm")
    Set oFilein = oFSO.OpenTextFile("c:\spy.txt",ForReading)

    oTextStream.Writeline "<html><title>IE is spying on you!</title><body><b>Welcome</b><br><font size=2>"

    Do While Not oFilein.AtEndOfStream
      sReadLine = oFilein.ReadLine
      start = Instr(sReadLine,": ")
      If start <> 0 Then
        sReadLine = Mid(sReadLine,start+2)
        sArray = Split(sReadLine,"@")
        oTextStream.Write sArray(0)                                          ' User
        oTextStream.Writeline " <a href="+sArray(1)+">"+sArray(1)+"</a><br>" ' Visited URL
      End If
    loop

    oTextStream.Writeline "</font><b>End of Report</b></body></html>"

    oFilein.Close
    oTextStream.Close

    oFSO.DeleteFile "C:\spy.txt"

    Window.status="Done"
    document.writeln "<b>Scan Completed.</b>"
    MsgBox "Please check C:\SPY.HTM for details. Thanks!",0,"Spy Scan Completed."
    oWShell.Run "C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~1\IEXPLORE.EXE C:\SPY.HTM"

End Sub


' ======================== Specify Custom Index.dat Folder ========================
function fnGetMyPathVB()
    dim oShell
    dim oFolder
    dim oFolderItem

    set oShell = CreateObject("Shell.Application")
    set oFolder = oShell.BrowseForFolder(0, "Choose a Folder", 0)

    If oFolder is nothing Then
      fnGetMyPathVB = "None"
    Else
      set oFolderItem = oFolder.Items.Item
      fnGetMyPathVB = oFolderItem.Path
    End If
end function


' ======================== End Of VBscript ========================
</script>

</pre></HTML>

There's also an updated version here for a free download...

http://www.codeproject.com/vbscript/Internet_Explorer_Spy.asp

Hope this helps.

brianinms · Sep 26, 2007

I am with Ed ... if you feel the need to "spy" on the kids then perhaps you should move the computer to a common area where you can walk by and check what they are doing.

mrdenny · Sep 26, 2007

These guys make a good product for monitoring what keys are doing online

http://www.awarenesstech.com/Consumer/.

They give you a web view of it so you can check on them when they are home and you are at work.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)
[noevil]

http://www.mrdenny.com

herbeapuce · Sep 26, 2007

thanks to all for their help
Regards
Stef.

rn4it · Sep 27, 2007

I think the most perfered solution is open communication between parents and their children. FInd out why the child is clearing the cache/cookies/history, it maybe a valid reason. However, knowing that this isn't always possible. My second preference is proxy type applications, where you block unappropriate sites or if possible just log them. I don't really agree with spying on people (children or spouses).

However, I've read or heard about cases where children go to a park to meet a friend who they met online only to find out their friend isn't a kid. This also pertains to adults. Education of the dangers of the internet does need to be communicated to any unexperienced internet surfer, be it sexual predators, hate mongers or just plain scam artists.

So my opion comes down to
1 - Communicate and Educate
2 - Proxy/restrict (this includes OS feature and common area usage)
3 - absolute last resort spy

eyec · Sep 27, 2007

another program you should use is Hostman. it allows you to block offending websites.

i have told my kids since they were very young to not say or doing anything that they would'nt do/say in front of us.

i blocked Myspace, Zanga, & other chat type sites until my kids got their own pc; which we gave them laptops for graduation from high school. i also told them that what goes on on MY machines is our business and subject to review, including spying.

rn4it has good opinions but, i have found that a little insight to your kids and their goings ons educates parents as well.

Roadki11 · Sep 27, 2007

You could use this also, its free:

http://www.opendns.com/

RoadKi11

SamBones · Sep 28, 2007

I used to be on the side of the "communicate/educate/trust" and don't spy comments. But now I have two boys hitting puberty. The 14 year old, a very well behaved nice kid, has discovered hard core videos. His computer is in the corner of the living room where everyone congregates in the evening. It's in a public place, but you can't monitor them all the time. There has to be technical limitations in place.

The draw to something like that for a teenage boy is immense. He goes to a pretty upscale school, but I believe they trade adult oriented URLs like boys used to trade baseball cards.

I believe that if I know or suspect that he is accessing adult content using connections and equipment that I have supplied and maintain, and I do nothing, I am breaking the law. By setting up the means, but not monitoring or limiting their access, I am being negligent.

Don't get me wrong, I do agree with communicating expectations, and educating them on the dangers, but you just can't leave that temptation readily available and easily accessed. They are children and their ability to resist temptation is not well developed (try leaving a plate of cookies on the kitchen counter).

rn4it · Oct 1, 2007

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you should also be blind. Every person is different, some just need to be talked to others well don't. My second option is using proxy applications to restrict them from accessing site you deem unsuitable. For me, this would also include other areas/forums on the internet. All I'm trying to say is don't just jump to spyware, if the child is a trust worthy child to begin with and you jump to spyware with out talking to him/her and they find out your spying on them it will only push them a way.

GraniteRob · Dec 14, 2007

One other possible means is to view your (assuming you have one...) dsl router logs. Mine are emailed to me as they fill. My home net has assigned ip addresses, so I can see what sites are being visited. My dsl router has the ability to block sites for some addresses by wildcard name, and unmanage other ones.

Netnanny might be a better general alternative, assuming you have taken administrative rights away from their logons.

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need to spy on my kids... 1

herbeapuce

Technical User

eyec

Technical User

rn4it

MIS

Ed2020

Programmer

SamBones

Programmer

brianinms

MIS

mrdenny

Programmer

herbeapuce

Technical User

rn4it

MIS

eyec

Technical User

Roadki11

MIS

SamBones

Programmer

rn4it

MIS

GraniteRob

IS-IT--Management

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