Ranked as our TopTenREVIEWS Bronze Award winner in monitoring software, Spector Pro 2010 has many commendable capabilities. However, unlike our No. 1 product Spytech SpyAgent, and No. 2 product WebWatcher, Spector Pro 2010 can only block pre-designated websites and has no full content filtering capabilities.
When considering monitoring software, it is vital that a reputable manufacturer makes the application. SpectorSoft Corporation specializes in computer surveillance solutions for education, business, government and the home user. The company has an outstanding reputation for its commitment to customer service. Located in Vero Beach, Fla., SpectorSoft Corporation has been in business since 1999. One of the company's flagship monitoring software solutions is Spector Pro 2010.
Once purchased, the company sends the user an email with installation instructions. Precisely following the directions will make the installation of the PC monitoring software an easy task.
Spector Pro 2010's setup wizard guides the computer administrator through the installation steps. Prompts ask for an administrative password and the choosing of a sequence of hot keys. Seeing the pairing of these security features is refreshing. The majority of monitoring software products offers one or the other, not both.
Spector Pro 2010 defeated all free anti-keylogger application tests. However, commercial that are more robust could potentially overcome the monitoring software. In some instances, antispyware software and antivirus software will detect, disable and quarantine the PC monitoring software.
Online Monitoring: 
Spector Pro 2010 reliably performs just as the company advertises. The monitoring software can record the transcripts of chat and instant messaging conversations. Moreover, the app's email monitoring component can record the contents of sent and received email correspondences.
The instant messaging monitoring element contains a feature called Internet Lingo. This component translates and defines simple abbreviations such as BRB (Be Right Back), LIC (Liquor), LGH (Let's Get High) and others. When encountering an unknown acronym, rolling the mouse over a word triggers the component and the PC monitoring software then displays a definition.
The monitoring software maintains a detailed log of all website visits and online searches. These features combine together to create a powerful PC monitoring software solution for computer owners who have concerns regarding monitored-user's potentially viewing objectionable subject matter, or their interactions on social networking websites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.
PC Monitoring & Admin: 
A strong component of this monitoring software is the ability to choose if the app will run in transparent or stealth mode. In stealth mode, the PC monitoring software secretly monitors users. The monitoring software does not appear in the Windows program group, system tray or in the Windows Task Manager. The monitoring software is invisible to all the users of the monitored PC. A customizable hot key sequence conceals the administrative interface.
In transparent mode, the users of the monitored computer are aware of the program. However, they are unable to access the administrative interface or disable the program.
SpectorSoft Pro 2010 has an enriched ability to log PC activities. The keylogger component records all keyboard strokes. Computer owners can learn online screennames, UserIDs, passwords and more. The keylogger coupled with the taking of screenshots combine to make a robust surveillance solution.
Spector Pro 2010 can monitor all user-launched applications. This PC monitoring lets a computer owner learn which software installations are the most frequently used, date, time and duration of use.
Omitted from this monitoring software is the ability to schedule a user's PC and online access. Further, the app has no remote computer administration capabilities. PC owners cannot remotely take control of the operating system, reboot, shutdown, or restrict access to the computer's software applications.
Filtering & Blocking:
The PC owner can manually block websites by specific webpage address or URL. This internet usage monitor feature cannot prevent users from viewing questionable content unless a specific entry for a site exists. SpectorSoft Corporation believes that the blocking of unwanted website content by specific URL is more effective than preventative filtering by keyword or category. This method means that questionable content remains viewable until the PC owner manually blocks the objectionable website. Some individuals may require an application that comes equipped with an internet usage monitor component that has both preventative filtering and blocking capabilities.
Reporting:
Within the application preference settings, computer owners can specify a keyword, or keyword phrase that is of concern to them. Once a monitored user types one of these keywords, the app automatically sends a keyword alert to a designated email address. These email alerts notify the computer owner that a possible problematic situation is developing. This practical feature can supply an online safeguard for children or other vulnerable users of the PC. Unfortunately, email alerts are the app's only remote reporting feature.
eBlaster 2010, also made by SpectorSoft, can email comprehensive and lengthy reports regarding a user's internet activity. Perhaps, in future releases, the company will integrate these two fine products to provide consumers with one well-rounded and robust monitoring software solution. SpectorSoft Corporation does reward customers with a price discount when they purchase both of these outstanding products. However, this reduction in price does not provide the consumer with a comprehensive surveillance package. When contrasted with Spector Pro 2010, eBlaster 2010 cannot capture screenshots.
Spector Pro 2010 logs a large amount of information. Computer owners could become overwhelmed with all of its gathered statistics and data. However, this is not the case because the app has a streamlined and intuitive reporting interface. Numerous built-in reports guide the viewing of the PC's most frequently occurring activities. The Quick Search feature is useful for viewing information not contained in the pre-defined reports.
Summary:
Spector Pro 2010 is a commanding monitoring software solution. The program is reliable and can capture all of a user's internet activities.
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