You share a Windows PC with someone who spends hours in America Online, and you have no idea who they are talking to, which sites they open or what gets typed in the chat rooms. Spytech SpyAOL was built for exactly that situation. It watches AOL activity on your PC and keeps a log you can read later.
Quick facts
- Version: 1.0
- Platforms: Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000 and XP
- Needs: America Online 4.0 or higher
- Price: $39.95
- License: Shareware, with a trial download
Key features
Read AOL chats and instant messages afterward
SpyAOL logs chat conversations in AOL chatrooms, both private and public. It also records AOL and AOL Instant Messenger conversations.
See every e-mail read or sent in AOL
The e-mail log covers messages read on AOL and outgoing messages sent from it.
Know which sites were visited, and what was typed
Website logging covers Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera and America Online. Keystroke monitoring records what was typed, the window it was typed in, and a timestamp. A Format button strips and reapplies text formatting so the keystroke log is easier to read.
Block programs and websites, not just watch them
Application filtering lets you choose which programs users cannot run. Website filtering lets you set which sites they can and cannot visit.
Schedule logging and lock the PC down while you're away
Logging time scheduling records only when you want it to. PC lockdown scheduling locks the computer when you aren't around. AutoClear wipes logs after a set number of logged actions or keystrokes, which keeps disk and processor use low.
Run it hidden or announce it
Stealth mode makes it hard for the user to notice. You choose the hotkey that brings it up. Password protection stops easy termination or option changes. If you would rather be open about it, an optional warning screen tells users they are being monitored.
Get set up quickly on older hardware
A built-in configuration wizard sets it up in seconds. A speed adjustment setting changes monitoring thread efficiency, which cuts lag on slower PCs. Further options include idle timeout, which pauses logging when the user is inactive, and starting with Windows or already in active monitoring mode.
Who it's for
It suits a parent or PC owner who needs to see what happens in AOL on a shared Windows machine. It only makes sense if AOL is the thing you need to watch, because the program is built exclusively around America Online.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Covers AOL e-mail, chats, instant messages, websites and keystrokes in one tool.
- Includes website and application filtering, so you can block as well as watch.
- Logging and lockdown schedules.
- Small footprint, with a speed setting for slow PCs.
Cons
- Built for AOL users only. Other messengers and mail programs are outside its design.
- Needs America Online 4.0 or higher.
- Lists Windows 95 through XP only.
- The vendor's main product pages now feature newer monitoring products instead.
FAQs
Can the user tell SpyAOL is running?
It can run in stealth mode, which the vendor describes as virtually undetectable to the user. You can also turn on an optional warning screen that announces the monitoring.
Can it stop someone from opening certain programs?
Yes. Application filtering lets you control which programs users cannot run.
Does it record AOL Instant Messenger?
Yes. It logs conversations on AOL and on AOL Instant Messenger.
Can someone shut it down or change the settings?
SpyAOL is password protected to prevent easy termination of monitoring and changes to options.
Will it slow down an older computer?
You can adjust the thread efficiency for monitoring, which removes lag on slower PCs.
System requirements
- Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000 or XP
- America Online 4.0 or higher
- Pentium class PC (133 MHz or higher)
- 3 MB hard disk space