Note: Installing the Viewer on the computer is only
recommended for troubleshooting issues, as it could be considered a potential
security threat by providing an unauthorized user with the ability to
access the Recorder.Client Recorder
The Client Recorder (Recorder) is a software module installed on each network computer as a part of the Spector Client (Client) installation. The Recorder resides in the background, monitoring and recording events without providing any indication to the user that the computer is monitored. The events recorded include:
Snapshots of the computer's monitor screen for VCR-like playback
Web sites visited and files downloaded on the Internet
Chat room conversations on popular chat sites
Instant Message conversations through popular IM clients
Emails sent and received through POP/SMTP, Exchange, and AOL
Emails sent and received through popular Web mail Internet sites
Keystrokes typed by the computer's user
Programs executed and windows opened
The Recorder successfully hides itself, giving no indication to the user that their computer configuration has changed. Unlike other programs, with the Recorder, there are no icons displayed, no applications listed in the task manager, no processes listed in the task manager, and no programs listed in the Windows startup folder. There are no device drivers installed, nor is there a user interface to the program. Most importantly, there is no degradation in computer performance.
The Recorder is pre-configured as part of the Spector CNE Deployment Utility. Once an installation file has been created by the Deployment Utility and this file has been successfully run on the computer, the Recorder uses the configuration options to determine which events are to be recorded, how often they are recorded, and where to store the recordings.
All recorded events are compressed, encrypted, and initially stored in a hidden folder on the monitored computer. If the Client installation has been configured to utilize a Data Vault, then the recorded events will be quickly communicated over the network to the Data Vault storage, and will be deleted from the monitored computer. If the Client installation has not been configured to utilize a Data Vault, then the recorded events will remain in the hidden folder on the computer, and the oldest recorded events will automatically delete after a configured timeframe.
Though it is not recommended for most installations of the Client, the Spector Viewer (Viewer) can be installed along with the Recorder to provide a user interface to the Recorder. This is an installation option available through the Client's Deployment Utility. Utilizing this option, the Viewer provides the ability to locally access recorded events remaining on the Client, change configuration options, uninstall the Client, and gain access to the Client log file. If the Viewer is installed on the computer, it is accessed using the pre-configured Hot Key combination and password.
Note: Installing the Viewer on the computer is only
recommended for troubleshooting issues, as it could be considered a potential
security threat by providing an unauthorized user with the ability to
access the Recorder.
After installation, the configuration settings can be modified using the Control Center to communicate with the computer's Client remotely. The configuration settings can be changed to modify the events being recorded, when they are recorded, and to turn recording on or off. The Control Center is also used to communicate remotely with the computer's Client and uninstall it. The Client Recorder and Client Service are both removed when the Client is uninstalled.