 Below you will find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the installation, configuration and general use of Spector CNE.
If your question is not answered below, please feel free to contact a product representative at 1-888-598-2788 or submit your question online.
F.A.Q. Index:
System Requirements / Technical Questions
 Will the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) work with Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows NT computers? What about Windows 98/ME computers?
 Yes. The Spector CNE Recorder (Client) will work with all editions of Windows Vista, Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000, and Windows NT computers. Windows XP Home and all x64 editions are not currently supported.
Additionally, Spector CNE can be installed on 98/ME computers provided a few additional items are installed on the client computers (such as Remote Registry Services and Remote Administration). Alternatively, the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) can be installed manually or via a login script.
Detailed Instructions are included in the Spector CNE Documentation.
Will the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) work with Windows 95 computers?
Spector CNE does not officially support Windows 95. However, we have had customers report successful installation of the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) on Windows 95 machines.
Does Spector CNE work with Citrix Presentation Server™ and Microsoft® Terminal Services?
Spector CNE will record all Windows users that log in to the server using Terminal Services or Citrix Presentation Server. When recording the data, just configure Spector CNE to record by user, instead of by computer, and you will be able to review the information from each Terminal Services or Citrix user.
Can Spector CNE be used in a Windows Workgroup Environment?
Yes. This will work as long as each computer has one Administrative Account with the exact same username and password (case sensitivity rules apply). When you wish to administer the computers, you would need to logon to the Spector CNE Control Center computer using this account.
Will Spector CNE work in a Novell Environment?
Spector CNE will work in a TCP/IP Novell Environment provided the underlying Windows Network is configured properly.
Won't Spector CNE fill up our hard drives with data?
It is important to note that in the vast majority of setups, Spector CNE will
be configured so that the recordings are moved to the Data Vault (an included component in all Spector CNE software), thus effectively taking almost no disk space on the local computer, as recordings are automatically
transferred from the local computers to the Data Vault several times per hour. (In those cases where the computer being recorded becomes disconnected from the network, such as a laptop traveling for business, Spector
CNE continues to record and keeps the recordings on the local hard drive until the laptop reconnects to the network, and thus to the Data Vault, and automatically transfers all its saved recordings to the Data Vault
at that point in time.)
The amount of disk storage required per day for each computer being recorded will generally range from between 2 and 20 megabytes per day, depending upon the types of events being recorded. For example, if you choose not to record screen snapshots, the storage requirements go down substantially, perhaps to below one megabyte per computer per day.
With those computers writing to the Data Vault, won’t that be a lot of traffic on our network?
You would be surprised at how little traffic is generated. Plus, the traffic that
is generated is managed to minimize bottlenecks. Every four minutes, each computer will automatically transfer recorded information to the Data Vault for no longer than 30 seconds. No information is recorded or sent
across the network if a computer is idle for 3 minutes.
In eight hours, assuming a worst case scenario whereby the computer is constantly being used and interacted with for the full eight hours, information is transferred approximately
120 times (every four minutes). Ten MB divided by 120 transmissions equals approximately 83 KB for each transmission.
Will I have to set up appropriate permissions for the folder where Spector CNE will store its data?
No. All recordings are saved by the Data Vault which is a Windows Service running
with Administrator privileges. You will only need to change the permissions for the Data Vault folder if you wish non-Administrators to access the recorded events.
Can I install the software to many computers at the same time?
Yes, Spector CNE provides the ability to install
and configure many computers simultaneously through the use of logical groups. Computers are assigned to the same group and then an installation or configuration change to a group creates an installation or configuration
change to all computers in the group.
For instance, if you wish to install the same configuration to all computers in the Accounting Department, you can create a group titled "Accounting" and assign
the appropriate computers to that group. Spector CNE will then allow you to push out an identical pre-configured installation to all of the computers in the "Accounting" group.
Will Spector CNE record laptops that are not always connected to the network?
When the Spector CNE Recorder is installed on a laptop, it records activity to
the network Data Vault as any PC does. If the Client is disconnected from the network, as is the case when a laptop travels, recording will still continue on the Client and all events will be saved locally on the laptop.
As soon as the laptop reconnects to the network, it will recognize that it once again has access to the Data Vault and upload the previously stored recordings.
Can I reconfigure the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) installation on several computers at the same
time?
Yes. Spector CNE features a mass update tool which allows you to update the settings
on several computers at the same time, even if the computers are turned off.
I would like to install the Spector CNE Recorder (Client) while users are logged off of their machines.
Is this possible?
Yes. This is possible for Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows
NT. It is not possible for Windows 98/ME computers.
In addition, Spector Recorder (Client) installations can be scheduled for any time of the day allowing an administrator to schedule an installation on a Client computer,
but the actual installation would not take place until the computer is not in use.
Is Technical Support available?
The first year of Premium Maintenance is included
with the purchase of Spector CNE. Premium Maintenance provides you with both Technical Support and Product Updates. Technical Support is provided via email and telephone as well as through our online Knowledge Base.
After the first year, renewal rates for your Premium Maintenance package start at $200, which entitles you to all of the above PLUS an additional full year of product and version upgrades.
Tamper Prevention / Employee Notification
Can Spector CNE be circumvented by our employees?
Spector CNE would be very difficult for an employee to circumvent for the following
reasons:
- The Spector CNE Recorder (Client) that resides on the user PC records in the background and does not contain a user interface that an employee may stumble upon. Thus,
there are no Hotkeys, desktop icons or System tray icons that might indicate the presence of the Spector CNE Recorder.
- Spector CNE does not show up in the Windows task list, and cannot be uninstalled using the Windows Add/Remove function.
- Spector CNE is designed to use very few system resources and does not slow down the desktop user.
- The recordings reside on the desktop only for a short period of time before they are automatically and seamlessly uploaded to the Spector CNE Data Vault.
Even if an employee did find a way to circumvent the software, you would have the Spector CNE recordings archived that would provide proof of exactly what the employee did
to undermine your decision to monitor. We would suggest that you make it known to your employees that any efforts to circumvent or disable the tools the company is using would be considered grounds for reprimand, possibly
leading to dismissal.
Should we inform our employees that their computer and internet activities are being monitored?
Spectorsoft believes that in the majority of installations, it makes sense to
inform your employees that monitoring software may be used. This is especially true if your primary goal is to reduce or eliminate productivity loss due to inappropriate or frivolous surfing, or if you are trying to
eliminate the use of company computers to propagate sexually or racially offensive emails and chats, or if you wish to eliminate company confidential information from getting into the hands of the wrong people, such
as your competitors.
Informing your employees of the fact that you are monitoring, and demonstrating the comprehensive details recorded by the software together serve as a strong deterrent for
the kind of behavior you are trying to prevent.
However, Spectorsoft does recognize there may be some situations where it does not make sense to inform an employee in advance. Such an example might be if you suspect an
employee of embezzling and you are looking for proof to substantiate or refute the suspicion. Another example might be if you suspect an employee of using company computers to conduct illegal acts that could pose liability
for you if you don't take action to stop it.
Reviewing Spector CNE Recordings
I have several individuals who want to review recorded data. Can I install several copies of the
Spector CNE Control Center for this purpose?
Yes. You can install as many copies of the Spector CNE Control Center as you need
provided that each installation uses the same Primary Server and Data Vault.
Will it take a long time to review the recordings?
Spector CNE is designed to spend as little time as possible reviewing recordings.
This is how many of our customers monitor their employees:
- Archival recording - When a problem occurs, you have already recorded it. It is similar to a bank whose surveillance cameras run all the time, but only reviews the recordings
when there is a problem.
- Random monitoring, such as a weekly review of computer use for a day. This is also useful when the person monitored comes up for review or has given notice of leaving.
- When you notice unusual actions, such as always switching screens when walking by.
- For Cause – Formal investigations upon suspicion of serious violations of computer use.
License & Maintenance Pricing
How many computers can I monitor with Spector CNE?
For $495, you can monitor up to 5 computers, for $695, you can monitor up to 10 computers, and for $1,395, you can monitor up to
25 computers. Please contact a SpectorSoft sales representative for a custom quote offering generous discounts on monitoring more than 25 computers.
What if I need to monitor more than 25 computers?
We’ll be happy to provide a custom quote based on the number of computers
you wish to monitor. Feel free to call 888-598-2788 (+1-772-770-5670) or fill out our Corporate
Pricing Request.
What is Premium Maintenance?
For One Year from the date of purchase, you will receive:
- Product Version Upgrades at no additional charge
- Product Updates at no additional charge
- Unlimited Access to the Spector CNE Knowledge Base
- Priority Product Support, 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days per Week by Phone or Email
Premium Maintenance is included at no extra charge for the first year from date of purchase. Renewal pricing is $195/year for a 5 computer license, $295/ year for a 10 computer license and $495/year for a 25 computer license.
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