A tool for monitoring internet user over a local area network, especially corporate local area networks.

Pros: The Internet Access Monitor literally monitors all internet access originating in a local area network (LAN). This is especially suited to corporations who want to make sure that their employees are working and not wasting time browsing web sites they shouldn’t be browsing. The program monitors access by utilizing the Proxy Server being used by the corporate client. It has support for most of the common Proxy Server tools including ISA, WinGate, WinRoute, WinProxy, MS Proxy, EServ, Squid, Proxy plus and more. It is able to log all activity on the network, including web sites being accessed, file uploads and downloads. It can create detailed reports (including user or computer specific reports) that can be used for future reference. The comprehensive reports also provide administrators with valuable statistical information about Bandwidth and network usage that they can utilize to optimize the performance of the LAN in the future. All in all, it is a comprehensive utility for monitoring, logging and reporting of all internet activity on a corporate LAN.

Cons: There are always privacy issues with this kind of software and this is no different. The corporate owner may find this very helpful but user’s of that corporate LAN will find that it’s prying into their usage. Usually blocking access is a better solution because it does not have the same privacy implications. The tool doesn’t seem to have an email scanning feature and that is good for user’s but bad for the corporate owner. There are no other limitations.

Overall: At least 4 stars. 5 stars also possible. Works well and it has a really nifty interface. Real quality. Doesn’t seem to do email scanning. This is both good and bad.