Keylogging Software Can Follow Kids' Online Trail
Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:55PM EST
See Comments (7)
For parents who are on the lookout for ways to keep tabs on your kids' online activity, keylogging software is one option.
Keylogging, or keystroke logging, captures computer users' keystrokes. Essentially, they leave an easily followed trail of where they've been on the Internet, what they've written, what they've viewed—pretty much every move can be tracked. It's often used by employers to monitor employee usage of the Internet at work.
When you search on something and the phrase "professional spy software" comes up, generally that's not something I am eager to put into play in our home. PC World's Steve Bass says he, too, isn't a fan of keylogging software to spy on users. But when a friend with five children—four girls, the oldest 16, who spends a lot of time online—asked what he'd recommend to her for keeping an eye on their Internet activities, he suggested SpectorSoft's Spector Pro software.
He installed the $100 app on the family's computer and was surprised by everything it tracks and records for each user. It takes screenshots, records videos watched, and has a tab to follow all MySpace interactions. Parents also can set time limits on Internet use and restrict certain web sites and even help track where spyware was picked up.
I agree with Bass' one caveat: If you choose to install keylogging software on your computer, tell your kids you're doing it and why. My hope is this decision would come only after all other options, including talking to your kids about responsible and safe online interactions and asking to see their MySpace pages, are tried first. I understand that parents who have concerns their children may be in over their head online may want a powerful way to check what they're doing. Just make sure how you reached such a drastic monitoring choice is discussed as a family.
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7 Posted by witchcat_9 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:47PM EDT Report Abuse
How is this really monitoring anything? Key words/phrases don't give much information, or could give the wrong information. Here's a possible internet conversation between two young people: "Boy it was hot outside today but it cooled down tonight. Oh! My pet, Tigger, curled up to me all last night in bed. He even snored!" "Awe he sounds cute. Mine doesn't like to sleep with me but she's very playful and even licks my hands when she's happy." Go ahead, find the key words in there... Meanwhile newer 1337/d00dspeak along with other languages and 'cant is being used and changed; such programs couldn't even catch all the nasty keywords which would be hidden and a waste of someone's money. You want to know what your kids are into? Become a part of their lives. Have trust in them, be trustworthy.
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6 Posted by iamsolostineedhelp on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:22PM EDT Report Abuse
I agree, it depend on the situation. I have twins, one I trust, the other I don't..and for very good reason. I have no desire to read all their emails but when we suspected our kid was selling drugs, a quick look at his "myspace" was enough to want to know more. A keylogger might have helped. It was a matter of wanting to protect him and prevent him from getting himself into trouble with the law. At age 14, kids think they "know it all, and got it under control". Kids think their parents are "mean" when we only want to watch out for them while they are in this phase of their life.