The 'Codename Alvin' project
was started following recent media attention regarding safety on
the internet, particularly safety of children surfing the
net and using chat rooms.
We all know it is simply not
practical to watch your children on the computer 24 hours a day,
7 days a week, but because of the nature of the Internet
you need to know what they are using your computer for in your
absence.
It was apparent that although
'professional' monitoring software was available, many
products were priced out of the reach of the general public,
and so Codename Alvin was born, software designed to allow
you to see what your computer is being used for, whilst
maintaining a low price, affordable to everyone.
The Solution
'Codename Alvin' allows the
owner of the computer to monitor keyboard, internet, screen and
application activity.
The original brief was to allow
parents to see what their children were doing on the PC while
they were not present. With Codename Alvin this is
now a reality. A parent can install Alvin on their
PC, then put the software into 'hidden' mode,
whereby any other user (the children in this case) cannot see
the software (including by use of the control-alt-delete keys).
In registered mode, the software is also re-start
protected, so should the computer be restarted,
Alvin will also re-start, silently, so the user is not
aware they are being monitored. Its not about spying on
the kids, just making sure you know what they are up to!
This allows the parent to start
the software, shut down their pc, then go to work.
Should the children start the PC up while the parent is away,
Alvin will log their activity, the websites they access,
and their conversation in the chat rooms.
Alternative
Uses
As would be expected, many
customers are now also using Codename Alvin for alternate uses.
As a low cost, but highly
effective tool, Alvin can be deployed anywhere to monitor
any PC workstation. In the office environment,
managers use Alvin to keep an eye on possible 'problem' staff
and find out what they are using their PC for.
Although this could be classed as spying of your staff,
sometimes it is a necessary evil to find out what is going on
while the boss is not present.
Alvin is also in use by clients
who do not want to hide the software at all, they just
want to simply keep a log of what they have been doing on the
net so they can go back later without having to keep tracks
while they are working.
Privacy
Codename Alvin can be turned on
and off quickly and easily using a simple menu bar command
(assuming you know it is running and have the password!).
If you are the owner of the PC and, as an example, want to
order your wife flowers, or husband a gift, you can
turn off Codename Alvin while you surf, re-instating it
when you are finished, keeping your own activities
private.
