Spector CNE Keeps Watch Over Corporate Networks

SpectorSoft's Spector Corporate Network Editon (CNE) is an invisible software agent that can be installed on any network-attached Windows-based PC. The software installs invisibly, and records all user activity on the PC including Web surfing, application usage, instant messages, and keystrokes. While this may sound like an excessive and unnecessary invasion of privacy, the software's auditing capabilities are especially useful for companies attempting to adhere to the requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley, Hippa and other laws. Besides, if employees aren't performing any illegal activities, what do they have to hide?

Spector CNE is configured as a thin client application. The program is installed on a server, and sends a small agent to each client on the network. The client application feeds all captured data back to the server. Spector CNE is compatible with Windows NT4, Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2003 Server. Companies with smaller networks can use a Windows XP Professional or Windows 2000-based PC as the Spector CNE server. The software can monitor PCs running Windows 9x, ME, 2000 and XP.

Installation is straightforward The server application consists of three primary components: the server application, a control center and a database engine. These components can be parceled out to multiple servers to lessen server load. During installation, solution providers choose where the captured user data is stored: in a network vault or on the client systems' hard drive. This is an important decision, especially if some client systems--for instance, those used by mobile workers--are not always connected to the network.

Spector CNE's integrated management console provides wizards and help screens for deploying the client application and monitoring workstations. A powerful reporting tool allows administrators to quickly access user history and pinpoint which actions were performed by specific users.

Although Spector CNE is marketed as a security tool, it has a variety of uses. For instance, help desks may find it a useful troubleshooting application. Help desk engineers can use the product to recreate the exact steps a user completed before encountering an error. The client application supports "quiet installs." In other words, the agent can be pushed to a workstation without an end users' knowledge. What's more, the agent can run in stealth mode, which prevents detection by common tools such as Windows Task Manager and even some spyware scanners.

CRN Test Center engineers were impressed with the breadth of information gathered by the tool, and the software's extensive configuration options. The agent can be set up to capture any event on a target PC, and Spector CNE also offers scheduling, Web site blocking and the ability to customize rules for each monitored PC. Another handy capability is the ease at which the agent can be pushed down to each client. Most administrators will select a silent installation, which can be executed by a logon script. This completely isolate end users from the installation process and can protect the integrity of the installation.

There are some privacy concerns that must be addressed, however. The ability to capture and and all of a user's data could be security violation. Users should be warned when the software is installed, since sensitive documents, passwords, social security numbers and the like can all be captured if a user enters that information on a monitored PC. Access to this type of information could prove to be too much of a temptation for a less-than-honest individual.

Overall, CRN Test Center engineers were impressed with the products' capabilities and stealthiness, but were concerned with the moral implications of a product such as this. Spector CNE can become a powerful ally, but there is also great potential for the product to be abused if it falls into the wrong hands.

SpectorSoft's single-level channel program offers priority technical support seven days a week, 9 am to 10 pm EST. The company also provides sales leads, joint sales calls, demonstration units, pre- and post-sales support and extensive sales and marketing collateral. Training is provided over the Web or by phone. Average reseller margins are 20 percent. Spector CNE costs $495 for a 10-user license.