Software To Track Computer Usage Mac

Summary. This document provides some retail solutions as well as do-it-yourself solutions for computer usage reporting.

Monitor. It’s sometimes helpful to know computer usage over a given period of time.

Bandwidth+ is the go-to monitor tool for Mac users who tend to have very limited options from which to choose from. Unlike Windows users who have access to a wide range of tracking apps, Mac users usually rely on the built-in monitoring feature that doesn’t provide an overview of the data usage.
WebWatcher for Mac begins monitoring and recording all historical activity discreetly and then sends it to your secure online account.

For example, when evaluating the use of shared or public computers, one wants to know the utilized value of those computers compared to the cost of maintaining them.

Most often BitTorrent, iCloud or some other cloud-data application is involved in cases of mysterious bandwidth use by a Mac. If you use iCloud, uncheck at least Photo Streamand Documents & Datain its preference pane and see whether there's any change. If you use third-party network backup software, disable that. The #1 remote Mac spy software, Spytech Realtime-Spy is a cloud-based, high-tech Mac OS X and macOS computer monitoring software solution that logs everything your child or employee does on your Mac. Realtime-Spy allows you to remotely install the monitoring system on any Mac computer you own and view the activity logs in real-time from anywhere, 24/7, via our secure Realtime-Spy website!

Perhaps ten computers are maintained, but only five are regularly used. Or, perhaps ten computers are maintained, and they are so heavily used that purchasing more would be justified.

System Log Files. Using system log files is perhaps the cleanest and most secure method of tracking the basic usage of computers. To do so, follow these instructions.

Apple users, skip to step #2. For Windows computers, click the Start Menu, right click on Computer, select Manage. Navigate the structure from Computer Management (Local) > System Tools > Even Viewer > Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > User Profile Services > right click on Operational and then choose Save All Events As. This will allow you to save the event log to a file. For Save as Type choose CSV (Comma Separated Values) and provide a file name, saving in a location where you’ll find it easily.
For Apple computers, follow the instruction guide to Creating Apple Login and Logout Scripts to Track Computer Usage in Console System Log Files. Then continue to step #3. Or, alternatively, refer to the document Using Apple Mac Console Event Log Files to Report Login and Logout Times for Calculating Computer Usage. Then skip the remaining steps.
Use Microsoft Excel to open and sort log entries. From the File menu, choose New Workbook. Then, from the File menu, choose Import, select CSV file, then click the Import button. You will then be at the Choose a File dialog box.
Remember that you’d previously exported the user-profile-service log file as a CSV formatted file, so it will be visible and can be opened. However, you will need to select the All Files option from the drop down selection to the right of Enable, in order to open the usertracking.log file. The All Files option allows you to see all files, including those not normally recognizable by Excel. Click on the log file you want to import, and press the Get Data button.
1. Apple users can use the usertracking.log file crated in step #2 to calculate the time differential from the login and logout times.
2. Windows users should look in the user-profile-service log file for Finished processing user logon notification and Finished processing user logoff notification as the login and logout markers.
In the Text Import Wizard – Step 1 of 3 choose Delimited as the original data type, and then click Next.
In the Text Import Wizard – Step 2 of 3, under the Delimiters heading, Comma should be the only item checked, then click Next.
In the Text Import Wizard – Step 3 of 3, it’s necessary to indicate the data format for each column. The date and time column should be set as Date DMY. To do this, click on the column with the date, and then choose the Date format above, then click the Finish button.
In the Import Data dialog box, select New Sheet and then press the OK button.
Apple users, skip to step #10. Windows users can now cleanup and organize the user-profile-service log data by following these steps
1. Use Column A as the column to put your computer name, in case you have more log files you plan to merge, then each computer’s data can be distinguishable. The column heading name might be something like “ï»¿Level” — replace it with the word Computer. Replace the word Information in Column A with the name of the computer. Do this by typing the computer name in cell A2, then press Enter. Then, click on the name you just entered. Then press Shift + Control + Down Arrow. This will select all data in column A. Then press Control + D to fill down the name you entered in Cell A2. Now all records in this sheet are labeled as coming from that computer.
2. Column B should be the Date and Time. Columns C (Source), D (Event ID), and E (Task Category) can be deleted. Highlight them by clicking the mouse on the Column Heading C and dragging it to the Column Heading E. Then, from the Edit menu, choose delete.
3. Select Column B and C, then from the Insert menu choose Columns. This will insert two blank columns B and C, with the date now as Column D and column E being the event log details. Type Details as the column heading under E. Beneath column B type Minutes and beneath column C type Hours. This is where you can display the time used in total minutes or total hours for each session.
4. Select Row 2 by clicking the “2” with your mouse. Press Shift + Control + Down Arrow to select all rows of data. From the Data menu, choose Sort, and choose to sort on column E by selecting Column E under the Column Selection heading, then click OK. All the data will now be sorted alphabetically by details.
5. Delete all data that isn’t described as “Finished processing user logoff” or “Finished processing user logon.” Select rows sequentially above and below using the Shift + Control + Up Arrow or Down Arrow as previously described, and delete them as needed. Now you’ll be left with a spreadsheet showing login and logout times.
6. Sort all the data again, this time by the date/time column. This will place all records in chronological order from the oldest record of a logon and logoff.
7. In Cell B3 place the following formula to calculate the number of minutes the computer was used during a session =IF(DAY(D3)-DAY(D2)<1,((HOUR(D3)-HOUR(D2))*60)+(MINUTE(D3)-MINUTE(D2)),(((DAY(D3)-DAY(D2))*1440)+(HOUR(D3)*60)+(MINUTE(D3))))
8. In Cell C3 place the following formula in the hours cell =B3/60
9. You can format Column 3 to not have so many numbers after the decimal. Select the column, then right click on it, choose Format Cells, select Category > Number then 2 decimal places and click OK.
10. At this point, you have the basic formula to be used for all logout calculations. To copy this to the other logout records, sort all data by Details. The formula results will now say #VALUE! because the source data has moved. However, the formula is still valid. Copy the formula down for all logoff records, by selecting the formula and all cells below it down to include all logout records, then choose Control + D to fill down. Then sort the data again by date. Now, you can use the SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, and COUNTBLANK functions to calculate the total hours, average hours, and number of logins and logouts.
Apple users can follow the general principles outlined above under step #9 to create formulas that will calculate total time used. Or, refer to the document Using Apple Mac Console Event Log Files to Report Login and Logout Times for Calculating Computer Usage. Then skip the remaining steps.
If you have more than one log file, you can combine them, but be sure the columns are the same and for each data set add a column with the computer name and fill down the name.

Software for Computer Monitoring. Software programs are available to track computer usage. For example, PC On/Off Time by Neuber is a program that calculates computer usage based on system log files, and then displays that information in a three-week 24-hour graph. More detailed analysis, including individual program usage, can be tracked and reported using programs like Visual Time Analyzer by Neuber.

Internet usage monitoring programs are used by parents to watch over their children’s online activities and employers to track the productivity of all Internet activity. However, these programs don’t typically track computer usage.

Some computer monitoring software pushes the limits of computer usage tracking and surveillance by recording every screen viewed, every keystroke, and even passwords typed. In addition to the privacy and intrusion concerns, these are potentially dangerous because some include remote viewing and management capabilities that could be exploited. Having a detailed history of all confidential data on a computer, including passwords typed, leaves the computer vulnerable to hackers who would only need to download the keystroke recordings to gain access to everything. It’s not advisable to use any such software unless you are fully confident in the trustworthiness of the developer and vendor.

SpectorSoft.com is a developer and provider of computer and Internet monitoring software. Some of their products work on Apple as well as Windows computers. Their products have received positive mention in the press and professional awards. Their products Spector Pro for Mac 2011 and Spector Pro for Windows 2011 make it possible to use the same program for multiple platforms.

Are you looking for a good computer monitoring software for parents? And you need solid ways to protect your child from online threats and track his activities on mobile as well? So, here, I tested the best parental control apps you can install on your child’s iPhone, Android, or Laptop and see what he or she does anytime you want ad directly from your own smartphone or even online.

Some of the best features that every trusted application should offer are the ability to track your loved ones in real-time and see their location through GPS and other ways, in addition, there should be a way to enable the phone microphone and camera remotely to see what’s going on there and never wait again until a problem happen.

Internet safety is must-have knowledge for everyone who wants to protect his child from online predators and hackers. However, things can be complicated when parents want to track every click and website visit, for their children’s laptops.

That needs some professional computer monitoring and activity tracking software.

The big problem with these tools is that lots of them are useless. Simply, because they slow down the computer and show their icons on the desktop, or in the taskbar. So, kids can disable the program and do what they want online.

Luckily, you can find good parental control software to record computer activity, including:

All the visited websites
Their social media accounts even the hidden profiles
The words typed on the keyboard
The webcam activities
Facebook and social media visits and interactions
Opened and sent emails
Real-time location

In other words, the greatest computer monitoring software lets parents record everything that happens on their children’s computers.

Today, I’ll show you the list of the best computer and internet monitoring software. So, you will protect them with the best online safety that they need.

Top parental phone and computer monitoring tools

The first thing that you need is to install a good child computer monitoring software that can control everything.

That includes, programs, visited websites, opened and sent emails, all the social media activities, and much more. I recommend the below list of software for their high quality and good protection.

1. FlexiSpy

This is an all-in-one application that you can install on your child’s device no matter if it’s iPhone, Android, or laptop. It tracks his smartphone activities, location in real-time GPS, and of course you’ll be able to see what your child is sending as text messages on iMassages, Facebook Messenger, Viber, or even WhatsApp, and also, you can check with whom he/she talks. That’s not all, there is a feature that enables the camera and also the microphone of the kid’s phone remotely anytime you want to make sure he or she’s safe and with good friends.

In fact, many kids find themselves in toxic friendships with bad guys or girls that should never talk to, thus, this tool allows you to spy for good reason on your kids without them knowing. Besides, the app will be 100% hidden, secure, and send the daily report to your smartphone or you can check all the details directly in your online dashboard.

This is a great child computer monitoring software, it lets you see what your child was doing exactly using his laptop or PC and not only his mobile phone or tablet. There is nothing to hide for this software, it records everything, and best of all, it can be turned 100% to silent mode.

Please note that this is also a software with another version for business and companies who need to monitor their employees’ computer activities.

Full app for kids cell phones, laptops & tablets

Keyboard recording

The iPhone parental monitoring app records all the keyboard activities from typing texts, words, usernames, passwords, and everything else. You can see every website login detail that was used from the computer. That can help to block high-risk sites that your child used and block them in the future.

By using this software, you know all the user passwords and usernames. Furthermore, there are thousands of real computer monitoring software reviews that recommend this tool.

PC screen recording

You don’t need any of the screen recording software that you can find online. This software records everything that the person sees and saves it in total security. The tool runs in the background and never put traces, it’s completely hidden from the child, and you can even use it also for employees.

This tool offers lots of screen settings such as the period of screen capturing, and others. So, it can be used as a great classroom computer monitoring software, as well.

Track visited websites with timing

This kids’ computer monitoring software records all the sites and the exact time spent. So, you can see the exact moment of anything you want to track.

If you want to block certain websites, all you have to do is to add their domain names to the blacklist and show a special message if you want. That can be something like “you’re not allowed to view this website” or something else.

This tool saves every HTTP request from the computer. So, you can see the visited websites, even, if the child is using some tools to browse anonymously the web. It’s the perfect solution to see what websites your child is visiting.

Save all the search queries

This is a powerful method to see what your child was looking for exactly. The toll record everything when the child uses a web browser and type a word, or phrase in Google, Yahoo, Bing, or any other search engine.

This top-rated computer monitoring software saves everything, even, if the user is hiding things or browsing with the incognito window.

That way, you can detect everything wrong with illegal websites that a child shouldn’t visit. Then, you can block those websites with a simple click of a button, and it’s done.

Monitor the created, modified, and deleted files

Of course, you need to see what files were created and others that your child deleted to hide content from parents. No more issues with that, you get a full list of files and activities related to each one. So, you know exactly what your child is doing on his laptop or tablet.

See the opened programs and applications

Every single software that computer usage will be recorded with timing and details. Every single application will be recorded with details. So, you can see if your child is using dangerous software that can harm the computer, or that can be a danger for his life.

Record the child’ emails

No matter if the kids are using Gmail, Yahoo, Yandex, Live, or any other email service, you can see all the received and the sent emails and their attachments also. That will make things clear for you to investigate things that can be dangerous for your children.

We all receive that kind of scam emails talking about banking and other things. So, imagine if your child receives emails talking about giving him money and so on… That’s why spying on his emails from time to time, can save his life.

But, do that when you feel that something wrong goes with him, and never take that as a daily task. It’s a child safety monitoring software that helps you to protect your lovers.

File sharing activities

You can see every downloaded and uploaded file from the computer. The popular file-sharing platforms, including P2P, offer millions of files to download for free, and of course, they’re not really freeware. But, they come with illegal software and other contents that can damage lives.

Record chats and instant messaging activities

PC Pandora works with all the popular chat and instant message applications and sites, including, Facebook, Google, Yahoo Messenger, and others.

This internet tracking software saves all the chat messages, and everything will be saved clearly, with the exact time. If you feel that some applications should not be used, you can block them when you want.

See the printed documents

The software tracks every printed document, no matter, if the document was printed using a connected printer or a network. Everything will be saved with details and the exact time of the document print and usage. This is important for sensitive documents that should be kept safe and never shared with others.

Computer activity

This trusted MAC and PC monitoring software tracks the usage, the time spent, and the other times when the computer is not active. That way, you can see if your children are chatting on Facebook when normally, they have tasks and homework to do.

With this software, you can see how much time the child spends on his computer and the exact time that he turned it ON or OFF.

Software To Track Computer Usage Mac Computer

Complete web monitoring software

This is the best internet monitoring software that lets parents record everything about their kids online, which includes, seeing their hidden social media profiles, gaming sites, and also everything as sending or receiving data. You can see how much data was sent and others that were received, that’s important, especially, for people with sensitive data and files.

Webcam monitoring

These amazing features can be used as a basic room surveillance tool. You can record all the webcam activities and see everyone who uses the computer. Of course, you can configure the screen capturing periods, or set it as default.

This an unusual and good hidden room surveillance tool that no one will notice. Even, if the PC is inactive, the software still works and takes snapshots of your room for security reasons.

I just want to add extra software that will protect your child from webcam hackers, and people who use the PC webcam to record your child. Next time, they can record you and all the others. That’s why I recommend a great software called Webcam Blocker. It will block webcam spying on your computer.

2. Phone Beagle

We can’t talk about verifying the child’s computer activities when we forget that he can use his smartphone to connect to any website, and chat, send and receive messages, and much more. That’s why installing Phone Beagle is not only a good way to monitor and protect your child online, but also, it’s an awesome application to save his life when he’s lost, or in a dangerous situation.

This is a trusted smartphone monitoring software for Android and BlackBerry phones. The software comes with a firewall, antivirus, and a full monitoring system that shows you what sites your child is visiting and what messages he is sending. Also, you can protect him and his phone from not allowed access.

You can install this secure mobile phone monitoring software on your child’s phone, and it will be hidden, with no icons, and no ways to see it.

Even, It’s not possible to know if the phone is using that application or not, and you are the only one who can access it from your personal computer or from your smartphone. So, never worry about finding or detect that application and delete it.

3. PC Tattletale

This is another good parental monitoring software that can be used also for businesses to track every activity on your computers. You can see who, when, and what was used with exact time and snapshots.

They offer a free trial and their plans depend on the number of computers that you want to monitor and track. This tool record everything, including:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest activities

And all the above points that a PC monitoring software should have.

4. Kids Watch

This is another computer monitoring software for parents to protect their kids from unwanted websites and tools. Like the above tools, this one shows you everything that happens on social networks and other websites. Then, it gives you detailed reports about your children’s activities and logins.

Conclusion

These are the greatest and most secure computer monitoring software that people trust and use. They save time and work controlling their child’s activities on the web and on their laptops.

Best Mac Computer

Remember that you need to protect your own computer, also from viruses and malware. You can avoid mistakes by just installing a powerful antivirus and internet security software.

Mac Computer Software Versions

I recommend BitDefender which’s the number one award-winning antivirus. Thus, you will keep things secure, and you will be safe and make your children protected all the time.