Net Spy Pro - Employee Network Monitoring Software

Net Spy Pro User Guide
Online documentation for Net Spy Pro v4.5.

Version: 4.5 Platform: Windows 95/98/2000/NT/XP /2003/Vista

PLEASE NOTE: This is only the online version of the user guide. For more detailed information about usage please see the internal NSP Help File which is launched when you install NSP.

Installing Net Spy Pro

The download file of Net Spy Pro is a zip file containing two exe files. Extract the two files to your workstation. Then to install Net Spy Pro, first copy the client.exe installer program to a shared folder.

How do I create a shared folder?
Create a folder on your desktop, such as NSP45. Now right click on it and choose properties. Then click on the sharing tab. Next, click the option box “Share this folder on the network”. Then click Apply. For more information check the Windows Help. Now a shortcut is created in your Network Neighborhood to this folder. In Windows Vista, you can easily put the NSP client setup to your Public folder.

Then go to all individual workstations and browse to the shared folder and run the client installer.

It is recommended that you change the password from the default one on each machine later by connecting to it from your workstation and changing the password in the General menu. The default password is located inside the help file of the server (Admin) installer program.

You should install the admin setup on your workstation. (the PC you will use to monitor other workstations)

Getting Started

After you have installed the client installer to each machine you want to monitor, and you install the admin.exe installer to your workstation, you are ready to begin using NSP.

How to connect to a PC to view logs or perform commands

To view logs or use the NSP web interface on a machine from your workstation, you must first connect to the machine. Bring up your NSP Admin Control Panel. Use the View Logs screen to organize this easy task. Click "Add", then select a PC from the drop down list. After your list is complete, select a PC by clicking its "Network Users" entry. Then click "View Activities". Your browser window will open to that machine's login screen. Enter the password and you will be connected to the Web Based Interface where you can perform a wide range of monitoring and admin tasks.

How the connection process works if you have a large or dynamic IP network

In most instances you can entirely use the View Logs screen to connect to workstations. But if you have a large network or a network that assigns dynamic IP addresses, you will do things a little differently. You will need to scan your IP range each time you view logs using the Network Scan. This is so you can find the latest addresses for the workstations.

Other ways to connect to a machine

Although you can connect to a PC through View Logs or Network Scan screens, you can also access PC's manually. Simply type the IP address of a client machine (on which NSP server is running) in your browser's address bar such as http://192.168.1.101 to access the web interface for the associated client. This feature can be turned off in Advanced settings by applying an IP Filter.

Also note, additional features can be found in a separate viewer called the Real Time Viewer. This viewer can show you the current process or the actual screens of a specific group of machines.

How to adjust settings for a workstation

To adjust settings for a particular workstation, you can change them through the web panel while you are connected to a machine. Another option is to run the Admin Control Panel installer on that workstation. Then make the changes, and remove the Admin Control Panel.

Note: Some settings require you to restart the monitoring process by clicking "Stop" then "Start" again before the new changes will take effect.

Using Full Remote Control Feature

To use the remote control feature built into NSP, bring up the NSP control panel on your workstation. Then click CONTROL PC. Then select which PC you want to connect to and which mode you would like. It will then connect to the remote PC.

Net Spy Pro: How does it work?

Net Spy Pro is like a web server which runs on each client PC. Web servers allow you to view the web pages stored on them. The web server is listening by default on the port number 80. When you type the web page address (for example: www.xyz.com/abc.html) it is converted to the IP address of the web server (for example: 243.98.101.19) and your browser searches for this IP address. Once it is found it sends the page request (i.e. abc.html) to the server. The server in return sends the page to the browser. And hence the page abc.html is displayed inside your browser.

Net Spy Pro functions exactly the same. The NSP program acts like a web server listening by default on port number 80. When you send a request to it through your browser, it extracts out what action you are seeking and then performs that action and hence returns the result again to your browser. All the pages are generated dynamically upon request. You can customize which port NSP is listening to.

All-in-all Net Spy Pro is a revolutionary idea to give you the best results.

Web Interface
After you have connected to a PC you can then use the various commands and live monitoring tasks included with Net Spy Pro. Each command is outlined below.

GENERAL COMMANDS
Change Password
Changes the NSP access password for the current machine you are connected to. This should be done on each machine for added security.

Logout of Net Spy Pro
Logs you out of the current PC so that you can either close the window or connect to another PC in the same window.

Close Server
Closes the Net Spy Pro server on the connected PC. Useful if you don't want the server to run on a specific PC anymore until that PC is rebooted.

Home
Takes you to the welcome screen of the NSP web panel. This screen shows you which settings are enabled or disabled.

SYSTEM SUPERVISION COMMANDS

Active Processes
Shows you a list of processes currently running on the connected PC. Clicking a process terminates that process.

Active Applications
Shows you a list of all active applications running on the connected PC.

File System
Here you can navigate the file system of the remote PC. You can delete, execute on the remote pc, or download any file from the remote PC.

System Information
Shows you specific information about the PC you are connected to. Shows vital data such as system and Windows information.

Services
Here you will find a list of services running on the connected PC.

Shared Folders
Here you will find a list of shared folders on the connected PC.

Registry Startup Keys
Here you will find a list of keys in the Windows Registry Startup sequence. You can also delete any key by clicking on it.

LIVE SYSTEM MONITORING COMMANDS
Live Desktop
Here you can view an actual screenshot of the connected workstation instantly an in a new window. This is used to check-up on a user to see if they are working or playing.

Live Keystrokes
Displays the latest keystrokes as typed by the user in real time! You can actually watch any text the user types without needing to search logs.

View Recent Documents
Here you can view a list of recent documents opened by the user. Shows all types of files such as Excel, Word, Notepad, etc.

View Open Ports
Here you can view all open ports on a workstation. This is useful for making sure that there are no outbound Internet connections other than authorized connections.

View Temporary Histories
Here you can view a list of temporary history (cache) of the Internet Explorer browser. This allows you to check up on employee's past activity even before you purchased.

View Browser Favorites
Here you can view a list of the favorites on the user's Internet Explorer Browser. This shows the full list and includes any categories that the user may have created.

SYSTEM CONTROL COMMANDS
Lock PC
This command locks down the connected PC from being used. To unlock, click "System Unlock".

Unlock PC
This command unlocks the "System Lockdown" command and makes the computer usable again.

Freeze Mouse
This command freezes the mouse on the connected PC. The mouse will not move when this command is on. To regain mouse use click "Unfreeze Mouse".

Unfreeze Mouse
This command unfreezes the "Freeze Mouse" command and makes the mouse function normally again.

Restart PC
This command restarts the remote PC. Click it and the user will then be prompted with a restart window.

Shutdown PC
This command shuts down the remote PC. Click it and the user will then be prompted with a shut down window.

Logoff User
This command logs the current Windows user off of the remote PC. Click it and the user will then be prompted with a logout screen.

Display Message
This allows you to enter a short text message into the interface that will then be instantly displayed on the remote PC's screen. The message will stay up for ten seconds or until the user clicks "OK".

Launch URL
This allows you to launch any URL on the remote PC. If Internet Explorer isn't already open, NSP will open it and launch the given URL.

Launch Application
This allows you to launch any application or file with an association on the remote PC. If the program isn't already open, NSP will open it and launch the given file. Use the "File System" command to navigate and find files.

Run Screensaver
This command instantly runs the selected screensaver on the remote PC.

Hide Taskbar
This command instantly hides the taskbar on the remote PC. To show the taskbar click "Show Taskbar" command.

Show Taskbar
This command returns the taskbar to its normal state.

Show Desktop Icons
This command hides all open windows so that the desktop is visible.

Hide Desktop Icons
This command opens any available window to hide the desktop.

Empty Recycle Bin
This allows you to empty the recycle bin of the remote PC. Click it and the user will be prompted with a confirmation.

LOGGED SYSTEM MONITORING COMMANDS

Web Sites Log
Here you can view the list of web sites viewed in Internet Explorer by date. First select a date and then scroll down to the content below the date section. Each date will show you a list of sites visited that day along with the time visited.

Chat Transcripts Log
Here you can view any chat transcripts recorded for a selected date.

Screenshots Log
Here you can view the screenshot files by date. First select a date and then scroll down to the content below the date section. Each date will show you a list of windows that were captured. Click a window to view its screenshot in a new window.

Keystrokes Log
Here you can navigate recorded keystroke logs by date. First select a date and then scroll down to the content below the date section. Each new window has an entry for text typed into that window.

Applications Log
Here you can view the list of applications or files launched by date. First select a date and then scroll down to the content below the date section. Each date will show you a list of files and applications visited that day along with the time visited.

Files Activity Log
Here you can view any files created, deleted or changed for a selected date.

Net Spy Pro Log
Here you can view a listing of all NSP activity that has occurred since installation.

Configure Logging
Here you can specify which monitoring and administration functions will be active on the remote PC.