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{{Short description|Surveillance software}}
{{Infobox software {{Infobox software
| name = WebWatcher | name = WebWatcher
| logo = ] | logo = webwatcher-logo.png
| developer = ] | developer = ]
| latest release version = 8.2.24.1135 (PC)<ref name="CNET Download">{{cite web|title=WebWatcher Downloads|url=http://download.cnet.com/WebWatcher/3000-2162_4-75621928.html|accessdate=1 May 2014}}</ref> | latest release version = 8.2.37.1168 (PC)<ref name="CNET Download">{{cite web|title=WebWatcher Downloads|url=http://download.cnet.com/WebWatcher/3000-2162_4-75621928.html|accessdate=1 May 2014}}</ref>
2.0.16.123 (MAC)<ref>{{cite web|title=CNET WebWatcher for Mac|url=http://download.cnet.com/WebWatcher/3000-2162_4-76016133.html|accessdate=1 May 2014}}</ref> 2.0.27.142 (MAC)<ref>{{cite web|title=CNET WebWatcher for Mac|url=http://download.cnet.com/WebWatcher/3000-2162_4-76016133.html|accessdate=1 May 2014}}</ref>
3.0 (Android) 3.6 (Android)
|operating_system = | operating_system = *] 4.0 and up.
*] version 6.0 and up.
*]
*]
*] *]
*] *]
*] *]
*]
*]
*] *]
*]
*]
| genre = ]
*]
| license = ] ]
*]
| website = {{URL|http://www.webwatcher.com}}
*] version 6.0 and up.
| genre = ]
| license = ] ]
| website = {{URL|http://www.webwatcher.com}}
}} }}


'''WebWatcher''' is a proprietary computer and mobile device monitoring software developed by Awareness Technologies.<ref name="pcmag">{{cite web |last=Rubenking |first=Neil | title = WebWatcher Review & Rating | url = https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2385748,00.asp | work = pcmag.com| accessdate = April 19, 2014}}</ref> WebWatcher is compatible with ], ], ], ] and ] operating systems. WebWatcher Mobile records ], call logs, web history, photos, and GPS. WebWatcher for ] and ] features include ] & ] monitoring, ], ], and screenshot monitoring.<ref name="Globe Mail">{{cite news|last=Norbury |first=Keith| title = The case against Big Brother at work| url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-managing/human-resources/the-case-against-big-brother-at-work/article4260681/| work = theglobeandmail.com|date=13 April 2011| accessdate = April 19, 2014}}</ref> Critics have referred to WebWatcher and other similar pieces of software as "stalkerware".
'''WebWatcher''' is a proprietary licensed computer and user activity monitoring software developed by Awareness Technologies.<ref name="pcmag">{{cite web
|last=Rubenking
|first=Neil
| title = WebWatcher Review & Rating
| url = http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2385748,00.asp
| work = pcmag.com
| accessdate = April 19, 2014}}</ref> WebWatcher's features include ] & ] monitoring, ], ], and screenshot monitoring.<ref name="Globe Mail">{{cite web
|last=Norbury
|first=Keith
| title = The case against Big Brother at work
| url = http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-managing/human-resources/the-case-against-big-brother-at-work/article4260681/
| work = theglobeandmail.com
| accessdate = April 19, 2014}}</ref>


== History == == History ==
WebWatcher was developed in 2002 initially for uses of ] for Windows PCs.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cohan|first=Peter|title=Awareness Technologies Spies on Workers, Teens|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/petercohan/2011/11/01/awareness-technologies-spies-on-workers-teens/|work=Forbes.com|accessdate=19 April 2014}}</ref> The software is now used by parents to monitor their children's online activities.<ref name="daily news">{{cite web WebWatcher was developed in 2002 initially for uses of ] for Windows PCs.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cohan|first=Peter|title=Awareness Technologies Spies on Workers, Teens |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/petercohan/2011/11/01/awareness-technologies-spies-on-workers-teens/|work=Forbes.com|accessdate=19 April 2014}}</ref> The software is now used predominantly by parents to monitor their children's online activities and by employers to monitor the activities of their workers.<ref name="daily news">{{cite web| title = 4 services for monitoring your kid's online activities| url = http://www.dailynews.com/lifestyle/20131108/4-services-for-monitoring-your-kids-online-activities| work = dailynews.com| date = 8 November 2013| accessdate = May 1, 2014}}</ref> In 2010, a version of the software was released for BlackBerry and Android devices. In 2012, WebWatcher for Mac was released. WebWatcher for iOS was released in 2014.
| title = 4 services for monitoring your kid’s online activities
| url = http://www.dailynews.com/lifestyle/20131108/4-services-for-monitoring-your-kids-online-activities
| work = dailynews.com
| accessdate = May 1, 2014}}</ref> In 2010, a version of the software was released for BlackBerry and Android devices. In 2012, WebWatcher for Mac was released. WebWatcher for iOS was released in 2014.

== Features ==
WebWatcher utilizes a ] architecture which monitors and records user activity on the client machine. After data is recorded, it is then ] and transmitted through a secure ] connection to a remote server. The user can then login to a website portal to view this recorded data.<ref>{{cite web|title=webwatcher.com|url=http://www.webwatcher.com/|accessdate=2 May 2014}}</ref> This process allows a customer to view the recorded data remotely.


== Reception and criticism ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!
! WebWatcher for PC
! WebWatcher for Mac
! WebWatcher for Android
! WebWatcher for BlackBerry
! WebWatcher for ]
|-
| <b \>Websites Visited
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
|
| align="center" | X
|-
| <b \>Website Searches
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
|
| align="center" | X
|-
| <b \>Block Websites
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
|
|
|
|-
| <b \>Emails Sent & Received
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
|
| align="center" | X
|
|-
| <b \>Instant Messages Sent & Received
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
|
|
|
|-
| <b \>Screenshot Monitoring
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
|
|
|
|-
| <b \>SMS Text Messages
|
|
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
|-
| <b \>Call History
|
|
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
|-
| <b \>Photos Taken
|
|
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
|-
| <b \>Device Geolocation
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
| align="center" | X
|}


WebWatcher received the ] editors' choice award in a 2011 review of Parental Control & Monitoring software. In the article, WebWatcher was referred to as "Heavy-handed" saying: "if you find it necessary to track a child who's engaging in risky activities, WebWatcher will record every detail and even send you instant notification when it encounters certain words."<ref name="pcmag" /> Also, ] readers named WebWatcher as the "Best ] Tool" as part of its 2011 Readers' Choice Awards.<ref>{{cite web| title = WebWatcher Named 'Best Internet Safety Tool' by About.com Readers | url = http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/2016678/webwatcher_named_best_internet_safety_tool_by_aboutcom_readers/| accessdate = April 19, 2014}}</ref>
== Reception and Criticism ==
WebWatcher received the ] editors’ choice award in a 2011 review of Parental Control & Monitoring software. In the article, WebWatcher was referred to as "Heavy-handed" saying: "if you find it necessary to track a child who's engaging in risky activities, WebWatcher will record every detail and even send you instant notification when it encounters certain words."<ref name="pcmag" /> Also, ] readers named WebWatcher as the “Best ] Tool” as part of its 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards.<ref>{{cite web
| title = WebWatcher Named ‘Best Internet Safety Tool’ by About.com Readers
| url = http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/2016678/webwatcher_named_best_internet_safety_tool_by_aboutcom_readers/
| accessdate = April 19, 2014}}</ref>
Critics have noted that since the software runs stealth on a device, there is an opportunity for the software to be installed illegally.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rogers |first=Kate| title = NSA-Style Surveillance for Parents Looking to Monitor their Kids|website=]| url = http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/06/21/spying-on-your-kids-online/| accessdate = May 2, 2014}}</ref> In 2020, TechCrunch and other media outlets described WebWatcher as "stalkerware".<ref name="TC">{{Cite web|title='Stalkerware' phone spying apps have escaped Google's ad ban|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/08/11/stalkerware-apps-google-ads/|access-date=2021-03-28|website=TechCrunch|date=11 August 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-15|title=Banned stalkerware apps keep appearing on Google search results|url=https://www.komando.com/security-privacy/stalkerware-apps-could-be-watching-you/749837/|access-date=2021-03-28|website=Komando.com|language=en-US}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, Google removed advertisements for WebWatcher from its search results.<ref name="TC" />
Critics have noted that since the software runs stealth on a device, there is an opportunity for the software to be installed illegally. To mitigate this issue, WebWatcher requires administrator credentials to be installed on a device.<ref>{{cite web
|last=Rogers
|first=Kate
| title = NSA-Style Surveillance for Parents Looking to Monitor their Kids
| url = http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/06/21/spying-on-your-kids-online/
| accessdate = May 2, 2014}}</ref>


== References == == References ==
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] ]
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Latest revision as of 05:22, 26 July 2024

Surveillance software
WebWatcher
Developer(s)Awareness Technologies
Stable release8.2.37.1168 (PC)

2.0.27.142 (MAC) 3.6 (Android)

Operating system
TypeComputer monitoring
LicenseProprietary commercial software
Websitewww.webwatcher.com

WebWatcher is a proprietary computer and mobile device monitoring software developed by Awareness Technologies. WebWatcher is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, ChromeOS and macOS operating systems. WebWatcher Mobile records text messages, call logs, web history, photos, and GPS. WebWatcher for PC and Mac features include email & Instant Message monitoring, keystroke logging, web content filtering and monitoring, and screenshot monitoring. Critics have referred to WebWatcher and other similar pieces of software as "stalkerware".

History

WebWatcher was developed in 2002 initially for uses of counter-terrorism for Windows PCs. The software is now used predominantly by parents to monitor their children's online activities and by employers to monitor the activities of their workers. In 2010, a version of the software was released for BlackBerry and Android devices. In 2012, WebWatcher for Mac was released. WebWatcher for iOS was released in 2014.

Reception and criticism

WebWatcher received the PC Magazine editors' choice award in a 2011 review of Parental Control & Monitoring software. In the article, WebWatcher was referred to as "Heavy-handed" saying: "if you find it necessary to track a child who's engaging in risky activities, WebWatcher will record every detail and even send you instant notification when it encounters certain words." Also, About.com readers named WebWatcher as the "Best Internet Safety Tool" as part of its 2011 Readers' Choice Awards.

Critics have noted that since the software runs stealth on a device, there is an opportunity for the software to be installed illegally. In 2020, TechCrunch and other media outlets described WebWatcher as "stalkerware". Shortly thereafter, Google removed advertisements for WebWatcher from its search results.

References

  1. "WebWatcher Downloads". Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  2. "CNET WebWatcher for Mac". Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  3. ^ Rubenking, Neil. "WebWatcher Review & Rating". pcmag.com. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  4. Norbury, Keith (13 April 2011). "The case against Big Brother at work". theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  5. Cohan, Peter. "Awareness Technologies Spies on Workers, Teens". Forbes.com. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  6. "4 services for monitoring your kid's online activities". dailynews.com. 8 November 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  7. "WebWatcher Named 'Best Internet Safety Tool' by About.com Readers". Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  8. Rogers, Kate. "NSA-Style Surveillance for Parents Looking to Monitor their Kids". Fox Business. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  9. ^ "'Stalkerware' phone spying apps have escaped Google's ad ban". TechCrunch. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  10. "Banned stalkerware apps keep appearing on Google search results". Komando.com. 2020-08-15. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
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