WebWatcher Full Review

Summary
WebWatcher was one of the most robust monitoring tools we reviewed. It allows administrators to monitor email, chat, keystrokes, and websites. All settings and reports are viewed via WebWatcher's remote website allowing administrators to manage from virtually any Internet connection. Although you cannot create multiple user profiles and its Internet filtering capabilities are not the most robust, you can create a list of websites or keywords to block on. WebWatcher can be uninstalled easily as it is not password protected. In fact some anti-spyware products will detect it and easily remove it from your computer.

Installation/Setup
WebWatcher was very easy to download and install. With a footprint of 2.53MB it took less than a minute to download with a Broadband connection (May take 2-3 minutes on dial-up). Also, WebWatcher will automatically scan your computer for known compatibility issues.

You are then prompted to enter your username and password. Once entered installation will smoothly complete. It is not necessary but recommended that you restart your computer. You are then notified with a message that you can manage your settings by logging-in at www.webwatcherdata.com.

Management
WebWatcher is set to monitor email, chat, keystrokes, websites, and capture screenshots by default. It is not however, set to block objectionable websites by default. WebWatcher is ideal as a monitoring tool but not as an Internet filter. Its filtering settings permit customization for only a single user but do allow you to block on keywords and/or websites.

In addition to monitoring email (web-based and outlook), chat conversations, keystrokes, and websites visited WebWatcher also has a unique alert feature that will take a picture of the screen when specific words are typed or viewed (user specified). It remains hidden while monitoring but can easily be detected and removed with most anti-spyware utilities.

Accuracy
WebWatcher comes with a small list of websites and keywords composed of such categories as: Adult, Cheating, Employment, Gambling, Profanity, Sexual, Violence, Drugs, Dating, and Children. Administrators can add and remove websites and keywords as they see fit.

We tested 2 lists of websites including: adult image searches, MySpace.com accounts, Hate oriented websites, websites that promote hacking, drug use, gambling, adult humor, etc...

Blocked Correctly - 15% (websites blocked that are inappropriate for kids and teens) Over-blocked - 1% (websites blocked that are safe for kids and teens)
Buy Now | Compare Products

WebWatcher User Reviews

Too Many Cons 2009-02-10

Pros: easy to load
Cons: Too many
"A complete waste of money. Does not record all information or keystrokes. Access to the web based information is tedious - now going on ten minutes "loading time" since my last click to open one time frame. Been using for well over a month without any improvement in quality. If this software met its promise it would be excellent for any parent; sadly, it does not come close. Most "review sites" and comparison sites concerning WebWatcher seem to be by the publisher or a reseller and misrepresent an unbiased view. Jack"

How would you rate WebWatcher? Write your own review


A little scarry!! 2008-11-03

Pros: Records everything, passwords, emails, everything
Cons: Where's the security? All of my passwords and credit cards are stored on there website.
"I don't like the idea of my passwords, credit cards, and personal info being saved on their website. And for $100 bucks per year you would think it would do some web filtering and not just monitoring."

How would you rate WebWatcher? Write your own review

1 of 1 pages

Buy Now | Compare Products