NETObserve 2.98 - User Guide and FAQ

NETObserve Features

• Internet Conversation Logging - Log both sides of all chat conversations for AOL/ICQ/MSN/AIM/Yahoo Instant Messengers (including MSN 6.0, AOL 9.0 Optimized, and Yahoo 8.0), and view them in real time.
  
  
• Window Activity Logging - Capture information concerning all windows that were viewed and interacted with.
  
  
• Application Activity Logging - Track every application executable that was executed and interacted with.
  
  
• Clipboard Activity Logging - Capture and store all text and image items that were copied to the clipboard while the user was using the PC.
  
  
• Printed Documents Logging - Log specific information on all documents that were sent to the printer spool.
  
  
• Keystroke Monitoring [before | after] - Track all keystrokes pressed and which windows they were pressed in. Keystrokes can also be passed through a formatter for easy viewing/exporting.
  
  
• Websites Activity Logging - Log all website titles and addresses that were visited on the PC. Supported browsers include Internet Explorer, Netscape, and Opera.
  
  
• Screen Shot Capturing - Automatically capture screen shots of the desktop at set intervals - perfect for visually seeing what is going on.
  
  
• Webcam Picture Capturing - Automatically capture pictures from the web cam connected to the PC - perfect for seeing what is going on around the PC and not just what is going on inside the PC.

• File Sharing - Browse directories/files in real time, as well as transfer files, rename files, and delete files.
  
  
• Startup Program Moderating - Remotely configure Windows startup applications by editing existing startup application data, or by deleting applications from starting up on the machine running NETObserve.
  
  
• Image Cache Browsing - Browse the remote machines Internet Explorer image cache. Statistics for each image is included in the cache report - such as last view, total views, and more.
  
  
• Favorite Places - Browse, launch, edit, delete, and manage Internet Explorer bookmarks on the remote machine.
  
  
• Internet Connection/Port Viewing - View all open internet connections and open ports on the machine running NETObserve. An integrated Whois Lookup is also included for instantly retrieving information on any remote host. Perfect for spotting Trojans [malicious viruses], or any possible open areas on your network that could lead to a dangerous situation.
  
  
• Process Management - Remotely view open windows and processes on the machine running NETObserve. You can freely terminate or close a window with a single click.
  
  
• System Control - Quickly shutdown/reboot/logoff the remote machine, as well as put the machine into Lockdown Mode. Lockdown Mode will bar the PC of any usage, and the only way to regain control of it is if you [the administrator] unlocks it.
  
  
• Window Management - Remotely deactive and kill windows (in real time) that you do not wish to be running.

• Hidden Mode - Run NETObserve in total secrecy - the user will not know that it is running!
  
  
• Web Content Filtering - Filter out websites and protocol from being used, and automatically track attempts made to view the banned material.
  
  
• Windows Startup - Configure NETObserve to startup for a single user, or to start up as a service for all users on the system.
  
  
• Automatic Active Startup - Configure NETObserve to start in "Active" mode when it is executed.
  
  
• Password Protection - NETObserve requires a password for starting/stopping the monitoring process, and as well as when connecting to the NETObserve Web Control Panel.
  
  
• 128-Bit Encryption - NETObserve utilizes the MD5 Message Digest Algorithm [as defined in RFC 1321]. The MD5 Message Digest Algorithm is a one-way hash algorithm, which takes any length of data and produces a 128 bit "fingerprint" or "message digest". This makes it impossible for your password to be intercepted and stolen when it is sent to NETObserve for validation!
  
  
• IP Banning - Filter out IP Addresses/Host Names from connecting to the NETObserve Web Control Panel.

• Log Exporting - Export NETObserve logs to 4 different formats: Microsoft Excel, HTML, CSV, and Plain Text.
  
  
• E-Mail Based IP Delivery - Automatically configure NETObserve to send you an e-mail containing the remote machines IP Address - perfect for monitoring machines running on dial up connections!
  
  
• Precise User Tracking - NETObserve will ALWAYS logs the current Windows user and the time and date an action if performed. This will allow you to precisely track activity down to the exact user, at the exact time it happened.
  
  
• Inactivity Monitoring - Automatically suspend NETObserve from monitoring if the system is inactive for a specified amount of time.
  
  
• Scheduling Agent - Automatically configure NETObserve to start/or stop at specified times and dates, or configure it to do it at the same time everyday.
  
  
• Automatic Log Clearing - Automatically cleanse old logs from the after a certain amount of data or keystrokes have been logged.
  
  
• Two-Way Chat - Initiate a two way chat room between the remote user (running the NETObserve software) and the user connectec to the NETObserve Web Control Panel remotely.
  
  
• Thread Priority - Adjust SpyBuddy to adapt to your system. Using the built in Thread Priority utility, you can make SpyBuddy run as fast as you need it to depending on your systems specifications!

• Automatic IP Detection - NETObserve can automatically detect your External IP Address and your Internal IP Address. This will allow you to quickly setup NETObserve to work outside a network!
  
  
• Port Configuration - Set/change the default for you wish to use when opening up a connection on your PC to the NETObserve Web Control Panel!
  
  
• Connection Logging - NETObserve will log all incoming connections to the NETObserve Web Control Panel, as well as login/logout times for later review.
  
  
• Router/Firewall Configuration Tutorials - The NETObserve documentation includes step by step tutorials for configuring the following routers/firewalls:
  
    ZoneAlarm Firewall     BlackICE Defender     Linksys Routers
    SMC Routers             D-Link Routers          Netopia Routers
    NetGear Routers

Frequently Asked Questions - NETObserve

1. Can I connect to NETObserve from a Macintosh or Linux machine?
   Yes. You can connect to your Windows machine running NETObserve from any computer with a web browser. This includes Windows, Linux, and Macintosh based systems.
   
   Note: The computer run NingETObserve must be using a Windows Operating System (any version above Windows 95).
   
   
2. Can I Install NETObserve on a PC which is NOT mine?
   Absolutely not. NETObserve may only be installed on a PC that you personally own.
   
   It is illegal to install this type of software on a machine that you do not own. This is also in direct violation of our Privacy Policy, which you must agree to before installing this software.
   
   
3. Can I purchase NETObserve on one machine, but install it onto another PC?
   Of course! That is, assuming that the copy that you have purchased has not yet been installed on any other computer, and that the computer that it will be installed on is one that you own. If you would like to install NETObserve on multiple machines, you are required to purchase additional licenses.
   
   
4. Can I view logs and reports from the computer I am monitoring?
   Can I view logs and reports from the computer I am monitoring? Yes. You do not have to be at a remote location in order to use the NETObserve Web Control Panel. If you wish to connect to the NETObserve Web Control from the PC running NETObserve, simply click "Launch NETObserve Control Panel in your default browser!" button on the main NETObserve interface.
   
   Note: NETObserve MUST be in "Active" mode before attempting to connect to the NETObserve Web Control Panel.
   
   
5. Does NETObserve Support MSN 6.0?
   Yes! NETObserve is fully compatible with MSN 6.0.
   
   
6. Does the PC running NETObserve need to be online for it to monitor activity?
   No. The machine running NETObserve does NOT need to be online to monitor the PC. However, if you wish to view the surveillance logs, or perform administration from a remote location, the machine running NETObserve WILL need to be online.
   
   NOTE: You do not have to be online if you are checking surveillance logs or performing administration on the machine running NETObserve, but if you are planning on connecting to NETObserve remotely, the machine must be online.
   
   
7. How do I access my remote machine running NETObserve?
   Connecting to your computer running NETObserve is a fairly easy process. All that is needed is a web browser and an Internet connection. Once your ready, follow the below instructions to connect to your machine. Load up your favorite web browser and type in the following URL:
   
   http://your_IP_address:port
   
   Simply fill in with your computer's IP address [this can be found on the main interface of NETObserve, or from the e-mail update NETObserve can send out if you wish] and the that you have configured NETObserve with. If you left the NETObserve port to 80, then you will not have to specify a port. However, if you changed the NETObserve port to something other then 80, you will have to specify it in the URL.
   
   
8. How do I remove NETObserve if I did NOT include an uninstaller?
   If you installed NETObserve without an uninstaller (you clicked the "No" button when prompted during the installation process as to whether or not you would like an installer to be included with your copy of NETObserve), you can simply locate the NETObserve files in Windows Explorer (in the directory that you choose the files to be installed into - The default location is C:\Program Files\ExploreAnywhere\NETObserve\) and delete them manually. This will do remove NETObserve off your system the same way the Uninstaller would.
   
   Note: To ensure all NETObserve files are completely removed off your system, ensure that NETObserve (i.e. netobserve.exe) is NOT running when you delete the NETObserve files.