Tracking Firefox useage

fox2319

Is it possible to check when firefox has been used today, even when the history is deleted?

The reason for the question is that I suspect my 10 yo son is using the PC in the morning before I get up and deleting the history for the day when he's finished. Before I go wildly accusing him, I'd like to just be sure. Is there an easy way to check when firefox is launched? If not, is it possible to write a batch file to either create or copy a text file when it's opened?

I know I could just put a password on the account on the PC but I'd rather just encourage him to do the right thing rather than force him.

generaloneill

is there an empty box of tissues in the morning next to the PC? Id be worried then.

Maybe hes using msn?

bookduck

firewall log? router log?

just hide the power cable!

fox2319

Bit young for the tissues and as I say, I don't want to stop him. I want to make him choose to stop...

Will try the router log but that would just tell me the PC has been turned on (which I can prove using Events Log), really I'd just like to know that he's been on the internet before it gets to the stage where I need to worry about tissues.

aliEnRIK

If its Vista, you can set it up to log his usage (Lists all websites visited etc)

Stompa

Two thoughts spring to mind:

1. Check the last accessed date, by right-clicking on Firefox.exe and choosing 'Properties'.

2. Set Firefox so that it doesn't delete History when it is closed. Last thing at night, visit a couple of known sites (without deleting History). If they're not there in the morning somebody must have deleted them.

aliEnRIK

Check the 'cookies' list. That will show you most of the sites visited

john_s_2

I just want to say I agree with you wanting to teach him to do the right thing, instead of preventing him to do it.

IMHO most 'solutions' to the 'problem' of net access for kids involve preventing them from using it and/or preventing them from visiting sites they shouldn't.

One day they're going to go from restricted access to unrestricted access. I suppose it's a bit like letting them cross the road on their own for the first time.

I have two teenage daughters so I know what it's like. Can't think of any solutions other than what's said above. The last used property sounds the best solution to me. Individual visits can be deleted from History so if he's canny enough he'll have worked that out by now. (And if so, you should be proud of him!)

fox2319

Thanks for that, will give the last used a try and see how it goes.

Stompa

You could always try using OpenDNS:

http://www.opendns.com/solutions/homenetwork/parental/

Pyewacket338

Download a keyboard spy, that will log all input from the keyboard, then you'll not only see if he's using the PC, you'll see what he's typing too.