Monitoring MSN Messenger

hobo28

Anyone know any cheapish/free programs for monitoring MSN Messenger?

My daughter has asked if she can have it on her PC as some of her friends have it. She's only 9 years old.

Usually I would not think of using such a think but a while back we had an incident with her e-mail account which makes me think I should keep an eye on her for a little bit until she's older.

Thanks

Zahc

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/children/childrenonline.mspx

Start here. There's netnanny and all kinds of programs. You need to identify what you want in terms of security for your kid (strict I expect).

nickmack

See this thread for software and firewall configuration suggestions:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=247695&highlight=msn+messenger

thomas01155

this can record msn key stokes as long as the computer is on a network.
Im not sure if its just a trail
http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Network_and_Internet/Network_Information_Tools/MSN_Sniffer_Download.html

fox2319

You can also just turn on logging opf MSN conversations. Go to Tools -> Options -> Messages and select Message History then choose a folder to log it in. You can then look at the logs offline. If your PC is on a network, and you have folder sharing or some network attached storage, you could even log the files over there.

As for the moral issues about reading your daughters conversations etc. etc., your call. I'll be there myself in a few years

Jeff

hobo28

fox2319 wrote:

You can also just turn on logging opf MSN conversations. Go to Tools -> Options -> Messages and select Message History then choose a folder to log it in. You can then look at the logs offline. If your PC is on a network, and you have folder sharing or some network attached storage, you could even log the files over there.

As for the moral issues about reading your daughters conversations etc. etc., your call. I'll be there myself in a few years

Jeff

Yep, exactly what I've done. I'll see how I get on before I invest in software. I just want to build up a level of trust that she's not going to spend all night chattering or end up being cyber bullied etc. Once she's a little older, I'll let her loose a bit more.

I gave her an e-mail account a while back and never monitored it. I trusted her with it. All was well until there was a bit of trouble. Would have been easily sorted out by me there and then except she didn't tell me. It was her friend's mum who told me after it had all exploded.

I've learned that whilst its great to have morals, sometimes you can't afford to have them if you want keep your kids safe. I'm not a paranoid parent even though I know I'm sounding like one here.

I've set ground rules, only her friends from school and only girls she is friends with. I'll keep an eye out for a few days then once in a while I'll check. Since the incident with the e-mail, I've only looked at her e-mail once. I don't like invading her privacy but like the thought of her getting into trouble less!

She's gonna SO hate having a techie as a dad! Unluckily for her, this is one parent who actually does know more about PC's than her!

mostwantd

top stuff people!!