1. Sentry Lite - is it safe to monitor your children?
    2. Sentry Lite - monitor your children or your spouse

Sentry Lite - is it safe to monitor your children?

Posted by ClifNotes, Apr 2008, permalink PC Activity Monitoring

Jimbo wrote in with a good question about some new child monitoring software.

Hi Clif - You may be aware, by now, of my deep interest in childrens' safety in general and especially on the net. A relatively new monitoring software has entered the fray, the free version of which is called 'Sentry Lite'. On the surface it sounds like a good product but I have some serious reservations.


It sounds to me as if Sentry stores the logs/reports of all the user's internet activity on it's web site. Apart from the fact that this enables parents to view the logs from remote locations I can see no great advantage, on the other hand that system of reporting must engender some significant privacy questions.

The other factor that has me wary are the 'user' reviews on download.com. They are mostly 5 star rated but the manner in which they are worded together with the consistency of rating and content suggests to me that they may have been 'manufactured'.

Maybe I am being a tad harsh, perhaps Sentry Lite is a safe and viable product....I would be very interested in any comments from your savvy readers.
cheers....JIMBO

http://www.sentryparentalcontrols.com/products/lite.aspx

Quote from the website
Sentry Lite is the 100% FREE Parental Control Software Download that offers parents and computer administrators piece of mind. With Sentry Lite you can monitor all of your computer´s browser logs and instant message conversations. Parents can now monitor and record their child's instant message and browser activity easily and securely through our intuitive web-based control panel. Sentry Lite is this year's must have parental control download!

Have you used Sentry Lite? Do you have an opinion you'd like to share? Please comment below.

Sentry Lite - monitor your children or your spouse

Posted by ClifNotes, May 2008, permalink PC Activity Monitoring

A few weeks ago, I posted a question from Jimbo about this free monitoring program. Jimbo was concerned because all the monitored data gets uploaded to the Sentry website. Some people definitely would not like that. If you don't like this application, you can check out a review of the top 20 Parental Control freebies.

Some people don't seem to mind if the personal information is hosted at Sentry's website.
Johnny wrote to tell me how he used Sentry Lite.

IS IT FREEWARE? Yes

WHERE IS THE WEBSITE AT? http://www.SentryParentalControls.com/
IS THE DOWNLOAD LINK EASY TO FIND? Yes
IF THE DOWNLOAD LINK IS HARD TO FIND, INCLUDE IT.
http://www.sentryparentalcontrols.com/products/lite.aspx

WHAT KIND OF PROGRAM IS IT? Internet Monitoring Software
WHAT VERSIONS OF WINDOWS ARE REQUIRED? Windows XP (SP2) or Better

IS IT AN EASY PROGRAM TO INSTALL? YES
DOES IT COME WITH AN UNINSTALLER? YES

WHERE DID YOU FIND IT? DOWNLOAD.com
WERE YOU LOOKING FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS? Yes!

WHAT ARE YOU USING IT FOR? To spy on my spouse
WHAT WERE YOU USING BEFORE YOU FOUND THIS? Guessing
HAS IT SOLVED A PROBLEM YOU WERE HAVING? Yes, very much so.
WHAT PROBLEMS HAS IT CAUSED? A Divorce =)

IS THE PROGRAM EASY TO USE? Yes
DOES IT COME WITH HELP FILES? Yes, they have a great FAQ section.
WHAT FEATURES DO YOU LIKE OR NOT LIKE? It does not block.
WHAT FEATURES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ADDED OR TAKEN AWAY OR CHANGED?
Honestly I wouldn't change a thing. I am in love with the interface.

Johnny G.


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