WebWatcher is the flagship product from Awareness Technologies, a respected name in computer monitoring software. The software is best-in-class and offers the greatest range of monitoring options over its competitors. It is also the most expensive product in the category.

The product comes in two parts. The monitor software is installed on target computer and silently records activity. A web based component makes up the second part, which is used to view activity from a password protected area of their website.

So how does WebWatcher stack up against our Activity Monitor buyers guide criteria?

Type of activities recorded
WebWatcher records more types of activity than any other title in the category. By default it will monitor everything that occurs on the target computer, but can be customized to record only certain types of activity (such as Internet behavior). Emails (compute and web based), websites, Internet searches, chat room conversations, opened documents - anything you can think of.

The software can act as a keylogger, recording keystrokes, or can take snapshop images of the desktop. You can set trigger words that, when detected, will cause a snapshop to be taken. This is a less obtrusive way of monitoring children that gives them the freedom to explore while protecting them when something inappropriate is detected.

Remote monitoring
Because the viewing component of WebWatcher is web based, you can monitor activity from any internet connected PC or device. All recorded activity is stored for 14 days (more if you upgrade the storage limit). Email alerts can be set up to keep you up-to-date with activity as it occurs.

Stealth mode
WebWatcher runs in complete stealth mode on the target PC and does not show in the Task Manager, System Tray, Add/Remove Programs or Active Process List. The console can be accessed by pressing a seemingly random sequence of keys and then entering a password.

Multiple licenses for business
WebWatcher can be purchased at a 10% discount if buying 3 to 10 copies, and on a quotation basis for more than 10. In addition, Awareness Technologies offer a specific product for businesses - InterGuard which offers all the features of WebWatcher and more, in a product specifically tailored to the business environment.

Help and support
Awareness Technologies offer a very good range of support options. There are abundant online help files, FAQs and online video tutorials. Email and live support are both answered. If you require more handholding VIP support is available for an extra $29.93 per year.

There are other features to WebWatcher above and beyond the essential elements outlined above. Because the software is strongly targeted at employees and parents it comes bundled with blocking technology, whereby any URL can be blocked from access and any application can be stopped from running. Those particularly worried about chat room and Instant Messaging will find this feature reassuring.

The product is very well made. The price may put some people off, however for an extra $20 to $40 you get a top of the range activity monitor with excellent customer support.