XPCSpy Pro, a monitoring software solution is an application researched and developed by X Software. The PC monitoring software received its last update on April 6, 2010. Limited information about the history of the company can be located on the monitoring software's product website. Clicking on the website's About Us section takes the user to a page that only lists the PC monitoring software's email contact information. An internet-based Who-Is Lookup pinpointed the company's exact geographical location.
The lawful use of XPCSpy Pro as a monitoring software solution requires that the purchaser of the product must own the monitored computer or obtain the consent of all monitored users. The PC monitoring software installs with minimal difficulty. The user interface has a very dated design. Despite this visual limitation, navigating the monitoring software was an uncomplicated job. Removal of the monitoring software was an equally easy task.
The monitoring software reliably recorded desktop screenshots, usernames and passwords. The manufacturer XPCSpy Pro claims that the monitoring software logs all user-accessed websites. Throughout our assessment, the monitoring application was unsuccessful at the logging of website visits. However, the PC monitoring software did take screenshots during a visit to Facebook.com except for the taking of two screenshots from Facebook.
The built in keylogger captured all typed usernames and passwords. It failed to record the typed text contained in an email message. However, it was effective at saving the transcripts of both sides of AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) conversations. Additional supported, but not tested, instant messaging or chat applications include ICQ, MSN Messenger and Yahoo Messenger.
The PC monitoring software's user interface allows the computer administrator to customize the app's settings. Configurable options include the specification of a monitoring schedule and the frequency of screenshots. The software also tracks all launched PC applications and more. The software can run in both stealth and visible modes.
XPCSpy Pro can log keyboard strokes, launched applications, clipboard text and accessed files. However, the software's effectiveness at evading anti-keylogger or antispyware applications is questionable. Although the manufacturer recently released a version upgrade, the software remains best suited for the Microsoft Windows XP operating system. Testing of the app on Microsoft Windows 7 produced mixed results.
XPCSpy Pro comes equipped with both remote and local reporting features. The email monitoring component of the application can deliver the collected logs of a user’s monitored activity via email or FTP (File Transfer Protocol). The deletion of all gathered information can occur at administrator-specified intervals. This process is easy to configure.
The monitoring software's reporting console subdivides the app's built in reports into several categories. These report classifications include Websites, Keystrokes, Application, Windows, Screenshots, Actions and other predefined categories.
XPCSpy Pro has some good features. However, the app's overall features seem antiquated. For those who require a more robust PC monitoring solution, they may want to consider other applications available on the market.
