SpectorCNE.com >>> Products >>> Spector CNE >>> Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the installation, configuration and general use of Spector CNE.

If your question is not answered below, please feel free to contact a product representative at 1-888-598-2788 or submit your question online.

Will the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) work with Windows 98/ME computers?

Yes. The Spector CNE Recorder (Client) can be installed on 98/ME computers provided a few additional items are installed on the client computers (such as Remote Registry Services and Remote Administration). Alternatively, the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) can be installed manually or via a login script.

Detailed Instructions are included in the Spector CNE Documentation.

Will the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) work with Windows 95 computers?

Spector CNE does not offically support Windows 95. However, we have had customers report successful installation of the CNE Recorder (Client) on Windows 95 machines.

Should we inform our employees that their computer and internet activities are being monitored?

Spectorsoft believes that in the majority of installations, it makes sense to inform your employees that monitoring software may be used. This is especially true if your primary goal is to reduce or eliminate productivity loss due to inappropriate or frivolous surfing, or if you are trying to eliminate the use of company computers to propogate sexually or racially offensive emails and chats, or if you wish to eliminate company confidential information from getting into the hands of the wrong people, such as your competitors.

Informing your employees of the fact that you are monitoring, and demonstrating the comprehensive details recorded by the software together serve as a strong deterrent for the kind of behavior you are trying to prevent.

However, Spectorsoft does recognize there may be some situations where it does not make sense to inform an employee in advance. Such an example might be if you suspect an employee of embezzling and you are looking for proof to substantiate or refute the suspicion. Another example might be if you suspect an employee of using company computers to conduct illegal acts that could pose liability for you if you don't take action to stop it.

Can Spector CNE be circumvented by our employees?

Spector CNE would be very difficult for an employee to circumvent for the following reasons:

1. The Spector CNE Recorder (Client) that resides on the user PC records in the background and does not contain a user interface that an employee may stumble upon. Thus, there are no Hotkeys, desktop icons or System tray icons that might indicate the presence of the CNE Recorder.

2. Spector CNE does not show up in the Windows task list, and cannot be uninstalled using the Windows Add/Remove function.

3. Spector CNE is designed to use very few system resources and does not slow down the desktop user.

4. The recordings reside on the desktop only for a short period of time before they are automatically and seamlessly uploaded to the CNE Data Vault.

Even if an employee did find a way to circumvent the software, you would have the Spector CNE recordings archived that would provide proof of exactly what the employee did to undermine your decision to monitor. We would suggest that you make it known to your employees that any efforts to circumvent or disable the tools the company is using would be considered grounds for reprimand, possibly leading to dismissal.

I have several individuals who want to review recorded data. Can I install several copies of the CNE Control Center for this purpose?

Yes. You can install as many copies of the CNE Control Center as you need provided that each installation uses the same CNE Primary Server and CNE Data Vault.

Can Spector CNE be used in a Windows Workgroup Environment?

Yes. This will work as long as each computer has one Administrative Account with the exact same username and password (case sensitivity rules apply). When you wish to administer the computers, you would need to logon to the CNE Control Center computer using this account.

Will Spector CNE work in a Novell Environment?

Spector CNE will work in a TCP/IP Novell Environment provided the underlying Windows Network is configured properly.

Will I have to set up appropriate permissions for the folder where Spector CNE will store it’s data?

No. All recordings are saved by the Data Vault which is a Windows Service running with Administrator privileges. You will only need to change the permissions for the Data Vault folder if you wish non-Administrators to access the recorded events.

Can I install the software to many computers at the same time?

Yes, Spector CNE provides the ability to install and configure many computers simultaneously through the use of logical groups. Computers are assigned to the same group and then an installation or configuration change to a group creates an installation or configuration change to all computers in the group.

For instance, if you wish to install the same configuration to all computers in the Accounting Department, you can create a group titled "Accounting" and assign the appropriate computers to that group. Spector CNE will then allow you to push out an identical pre-configured installation to all of the computers in the "Accounting" group.

Can I re-configure the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) installation on several computers at the same time?

Yes. Spector CNE features a mass update tool which allows you to update the settings on several computers at the same time, even if the computers are turned off.

I would like to install the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) while users are logged off of their machines. Is this possible?

Yes. This is possible for Windows NT, 2000 and XP machines. It is not possible for 9x/ME computers.

In addition, Spector Recorder (Client) installations can be scheduled for any time of the day allowing an administrator to schedule an installation on a Client computer, but the actual installation would not take place until the computer is not in use.