Need A PC Babysitter.

[Quam256]

I have a second pc in my house which the kids (10 to 16) use and would like to be able to keep an eye on what they are up to as I dont feel to comfortable as most of the time they are on Chat.Is there any free software out there that would let me either monitor remotely or log what they are doing.This is not a spying excercise on them I just would feel more comfortable that I could check now and then on who they are talking to.

[Tightscot]

if they're using MSN messengert you can get it to save a copy of all their chat logs onto your hard drive. You need to open messenger and go to >tools>options>messages and select save a copy.

I think you'll need to sign in as the user (your kiddie) to set it up...

You could also install something like VNC/radmin (google them) which are remote control software, this would enable you to connect to the kid's pc from your pc and view their screen. You have an option to just view or to take control, but if you take control they'll realise that Big Brother is watching them, so just using the 'view' option would be best...

Hope this helps

[Quam256]

Thanks for your input much appreciated will look into it thanks.

Tell them what there allowed to do and just pop in now and again and check cookies internet files and chat logs.
Ive got a 10 year old and she has been taught how to respect pcs since she was very young and has had her own 3 years(different ones) she now has a 2 gig skt a machine with 512 meg ram dvd rw and a few harddrives (i steal it sometimes as a test bed)
I just gave her the internet in her room and told her I trust her and as long as she behaves she can keep it.If she doesnt she knows I will simply remove the wireless adapter and she loses the net. She is very good and doesnt install anything unless im there

[Quam256]

I have a ten year old son who is not a problem at all when on the PC ,but a 16 year old is a different challenge alltogether.They download all sorts of c"&p and say yes to anything that pops up .But when itstarts to play up or crashes it is always "I didnt do it ,I wasnt on there last " and tries to blame it on the 10 year old.

[Aragorn]

If they are using XP, give them a restricted user account (and rename the admin account & add a strong password). Should stop most of the crap being installed.

[Quam256]

I doubt if I am the only person with this situation ,so any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated and I will try them out or maybe have a mix of some of them a get back with my findings.

ok here is what I do for customers.I install a clean os and take a ghost image of the drive.Then the kid is given free reign.Once the pc goes wrong I ghost the system back to defaults and the kid loses everything.After a few rounds of this they soon start behaving cuz all there lost mp3s and stuff

[Tightscot]

If it's ,mainly the chat room stuff then you could try using some of the available 'chat monitor' software.

http://www.spector.com/chat-monitor.html

or this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...lance&n=300435

I have no idea if these products are any good though, maybe someone else here has tried them?

[Pug205Tim]

Keylogger, download it! Superb software, just remember to make a note of where its stored, used to use it on pcs a while ago

In my opinion if you feel you have to check up on them with such a tight reign then to be honest neither you or they are ready for it..

I have an eleven year old daughter and ground rules where set at the start and so far it's been ok apart from trying to install smiley icons.. 'threat of a clean install works as I did it on my nephews after a Kazza fetish'

Be real carefull with the keyloggers as most AV's and firewalls wont allow them to run anyway,
and do you really really want to see everything they type as what's written will be out of context when you read it..

[paul11974]

Originally Posted by Quam256

I have a second pc in my house which the kids (10 to 16) use and would like to be able to keep an eye on what they are up to as I dont feel to comfortable as most of the time they are on Chat.Is there any free software out there that would let me either monitor remotely or log what they are doing.This is not a spying excercise on them I just would feel more comfortable that I could check now and then on who they are talking to.

why not get ntl netguard total ? it has parental control so you can block instant messaging ect

I think that just blocking access for a teenager is not very helpful in teaching them about the internet and it's dangers.Far better to educate and trust your teen whilst setting firm boundaries and sticking to set punishments when those boundaries are crossed.

After all out on the streets you either let them out to learn how to traverse the world with your checks and balances(ie what to do in a certain situation)or you lock them up and doing this will prepare them for nothing.Everyone eventually learns by experience .Try to trust your children and IF you communicate well with them you should ensure that they will mostly follow the rules.

[Quam256]

I have read what you have to say and looking at it ,the thing to do is probably is ghost the drive as a new install and if problems occur then reload it.I dont want it to seem like i am spying on them and I appreciate the messages as it has helped a lot ....
Thank You.

[Chimaera]

My pc was always kept in the living room so I could keep a watchful eye on who my two girls were talking to and what sites they were visiting - in the end it was me who went off and met someone I'd first met on Messenger!
It all had a happy ending though!