Client Monitoring Possibilities

[rakem]

Is there any type of software by microsoft, or any other company, that can let a network administrator monitor what web sites users are visiting and at what times they are going to these site?

We have been having some trouble with people downloading unsuitable software at work and would like to be able to find out who and when they are doing so.

thanks!

[cluberti]

You'd need proxy software, such as ISA 2004 from Microsoft or squid (or similar) for *nix operating systems. If you want client-side software, I'm sure a simple google search would suffice - however, I'd suggest using proxy software as this removes the possibility that users can override, disable, or otherwise "fool" the proxy software.

[realized]

Proxy software is one way to go if you just want to see what websites they are accessing.. Some routers have proxies as a feature and all you would need to do is enable it and start logging..

Another option to really MONITOR is something like SpectorSoft's CNE suite, this will track everything (almost everything..) for the most part, and screen shots etc. There are alot of other companies out there that make monitoring software as welll.