So what do you guys use...

[WillBurt]

What do you use to monitor your users? Right now I've been assigned to kinda get a good feel of LEGIT software out there that will monitor user activity. No, not keylogging but more on the means of recording web pages visited, programs launched (like soliatre, aim, yahoo, ect...).

 

[Nothinman]

At my last place we had a proxy that everyone went through and a SurfControl box to record everyone's browsing. If you don't have an application layer proxy then it's more difficult to get accurate results.

Recording what people run will be a lot more difficult since you'll need some sort of agent on the client.

 

[SagaLore]

I've used a wide range of stuff. I guess it depends on what level of info you want to put together - can it just be a raw dump, or does it need statistical reporting?

I guess it comes down to... are you willing to spend some money on this? If so, what is your budget?

 

[Tarrant64]

At my current job we use LANDesk Management. That takes care of pretty much inventory of all software/hardware, etc. With the SonicWALL firewall's we use, we can montior all network traffic as well down to the user.

These are by no means cheap though. I think after the licensing for LANDesk we were talking $40k.

 

[WillBurt]

Budget really isnt too much of an issue right now... $40k is a little much though at this point.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: WillBurt
Budget really isnt too much of an issue right now... $40k is a little much though at this point.

Do you strictly run Windows, or do you have any Linux servers? Have any linux experience?

 

[DnetMHZ]

We use SurfControl for web monitoring/filtering. Certain programs (windows games, etc) are limited by group policy.
Our web usage policy is pretty strict. Basically it's Deny All then allow only essential sites.

 

[ScottFern]

Originally posted by: DnetMHZ
We use SurfControl for web monitoring/filtering. Certain programs (windows games, etc) are limited by group policy.
Our web usage policy is pretty strict. Basically it's Deny All then allow only essential sites.

That is exactly how it is at my work. I like SurfControl.

 

[Woodie]

WebSense here for internet usage.
Digital Guardian for "information leakage control"
Macafee for blocking certain programs (pretty much any p2p, including skype.exe)

 

[SSSnail]

Vericept.

 

[nweaver]

Landesk is ok (I haven't used it more then about 2 hours during a trial run)

I have used (and it's ok too) Altiris tools, and there are a dozen other ones that can do "Software Metering" i.e. how long is each app open/being used. Some apps are smarter then others, and will look at the focused window as well as open (so it doesn't say "they were browsing the web all day" just because IE was open, but minimized).

Software metering does require an agent. There are some inexpensive, smaller software metering apps out there, can't remember names. You should look at Asset/software/license management, as that's where you will find metering stuff. If you are an MS partner, they have one that does some of this (SMS??), but it was a bit cludgy compared to the 3rd party stuff (imho)

 

[Oakenfold]

Internet-
Websense

Software-
must be approved by IT before installation, enforced through user settings (power, admin limited etc.) and Active Directory, accompanied by routine audits of software installed on the network.

 

[covert24]

my school uses websense to block pages. its pretty good to...For the school, not me..