tracking my roomates activity

[setfree]

Ok I've been gone for awhile but today I finally got internet hooked up. I got roadrunner online. Ok I now live in a two bedroom apartment with 3 other roomates and of course as soon one of them found out that I got internet today he wanted to get online on my computer. So no big deal I left my computer on before I left for school around 6 today. I also left aim running with an away message which was probably a mistake, but anyway I got home about 15minutes ago and I saw that aim was still up but my away message was gone. I knew then that one of my roomates had to have signed off and signed on with his screenname and dummy me left the password saved so he could just get me back on, so first thing I did was unstore my password. Then I click in the address bar to bring down the list that shows you some of the sites that you've been to and sure enough there were a couple porn sites. Now personally I don't feel comfortable letting someone else use my computer to look at porn cause in the end if anything happened I would be responsible so im basically looking for some advice. Is there a program I could get to find what sites there going to or should I just set the parental controls in internet explorer before I let them get on?

[melloman]

Put on windows 2000 or XP. Use the password protection. If you are using windows 98 or ME, it has no password protection that works at all.

I would not let them on your computer, but if they wanted to chip in, it's easy for them to hook their own computers on a network, and have all the machines sharing the connection via a router/firewall. Cheap solution that makes everyone happy.

[setfree]

I have xp but I don't wanna be a jerk and not let them on at all. They don't have computers which is why they use mine. I will probably just end up confronting them about it if it happens on a regular basis and if that doesn't work then i'll just have to shut them off completly.

[Strider]

I would use a somekind of logging software that tracks what a user does and if I were you I would tell my roomates that you're tracking what websites that they are going to and not to abuse your kindness.

[mike breck]

If you don't want to deny them access, then an advanced Filter might be worth a try.

This one is free

http://www.icra.org/_en/filter/

This one is aimed specifically at Porn but it will cost you

http://www.tueagles.com/anti-porn/

HTH

[CMT]

I personally would just confront them nicely like say "Hey bud dont look up porn crap on my computer I could get busted why dont ya check out chat rooms or something" thats just me though:)

[setfree]

you know what now that I think about it, I could just install Linux and then they wouldn't even be able to find there way onto the internet in the first place.....

[KingPacino]

lol ;)

[glc]

I see you have XP - just give them each their own user account and log off when you aren't in front of the machine.

[setfree]

The only problem with that is I will still have their crap on my computer and thats what im trying to stop.

[melloman]

If they have a 'puter of their own, and can access the web off the connection, you have no worries. Of course if the neanderf*cks can't operate one of their own, why would you want to allow unfettered access to your own prized machine? They can fork over a couple hundred and make/buy/upgrade a machine, and then hook em up to a DSL router, and HELP PAY THE DSL cost. Problem solved.

[glc]

Give them simple user rights - then they can't install anything.

[Naja]

Here's a link to a list of spy ware programs to monitor what's going on on your pc:

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=71137

I can't recommend any of them, because I've never used them. But maybe somebody here can point you toward a good one.

[Karnevil9]

If you are going to spend money to buy software to track what they are looking at, why not spend that same money to buy a blocking software like cyber patrol instead. That way you can set it so they can't go into porn sites and you won't have to spy on them.
Removing their ability to view porn is one thing, invading their privacy, even on your computer, is another.

[thorlo6]

Excuse me Karnevil9, but, if the computer is Setfrees, then they have no privacy rights on the computer. The privacy rights belong to Setfree only. Returning to the problem @ hand, you can use the software the others have mentioned or depending on your ISP, they might have software that allows you to let each one have their own logon ID and passwords with you being the administrator. That way you, and you alone, can set the parameters of what they can and cannot see on your computer. That is YOUR rights. Thorlo6

[Karnevil9]

You are absolutley right, that it is his computer and can do as he pleases. That being the case less trouble would be caused simply by refusing to let them use the computer. Here is my point. He has three roomates and has given them permission to use hise computer. One or all of those three went into a pron site against his wishes. Put a block on the computer and the other 3 will be a bit disappointed. But let'ssay youput spyware on the computer, and one of your roomates decides to check his bank account, and then he goes into instant message with his girlfriend and they discuss some intimate details of there relationship. At some point the spyware issue comes out. Now one roomate knows you have his bank account number, his password into instant message and you spied on his converstaions. If that roomate was me, I don't care if mit is his computer, me and him are going to be exchanging blows. Even on his own computer, spying on someelse is something else altogether. It is just as easy to just block the porn sites as it is to spy on them. It's up to him but it may be the diference between having your roomates a little disapponted or trying to kick your ass

[setfree]

I think i'll just start charging them to use my computer. I could have them pay me like a dollar an hour and use the built in shutdown utility to log them off after a their time is up.

[Desciple]

I think what they are asking is "How do they clean their PC of any harmful material that may be on it from the roomates porn adventures?"

I wish that I could answer that question.

Oh, first post for me. I hope to learn alot here as well.

[doctorgonzo]

I don't see how spying on their activities would accomplish anything. You already know that your roommate is looking at porn. You don't need logging software to show you more proof. If he didn't even bother to clear out the history after he was done, he is none too bright.

Either get some nanny program that keeps him from going to those sites, or don't let him use the computer. I would go with the latter, personally, not so much because of what he is surfing for, but because he may read your things, delete your things, or generally screw things up on your computer.

[mrlooneytoon]

lol nanny program...

i'd suggest different users since you have XP... set limitations to what they can access and stuff... there are tons of CORPORATE tracking software like Aladin Esafe Gateway and stuff but heh they cost around $3000... but look for a home user tracking software (dont know any)

If you're worried about someone finding out about the porn and stuff just get an internet eraser.

i'd seriously suggest a new roommate :D