- Quick specs
- Price: Free to try (30-day trial); $39.99 to buy
- Operating system: Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Date added: November 16, 2006
- Total Downloads: 77,012
- Downloads last week: 178
- See full specifications
A newer version of WatchDog is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 9 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
WatchDog gives you comprehensive control over how your computer is used, and how it monitors various activities. The program's bland but straightforward and familiar interface makes it easy to set permissions for users and to assign users to specific groups.
Basically, the program overrides the native Windows Task Manager and gives the Administrator the keys to the car. You can control not only what programs other users can access, but when they use them and even when the computer can turn on. You can shut down the PC after a specified period of time, or allow or block access for any hour or day of the week.
The newly-added URL filter builds on the full array of functions that the app presents. Hard drives, the Start menu and the Control Panel can be hidden from view, and the screenshot and keylogging functions give WatchDog some serious heft.
One drawback is that the Web filter is based on URL keywords and blacklists, so there's a strong possibility that some undesired content could make it through. Given the depth of control the app provides, we'd recommend WatchDog both for parents and for very small businesses.
Publisher's description
From CQL :WatchDog is the ultimate application for restricting and monitoring the time you or others spend on the computer. Its many security measures completely block unauthorized access. It can restrict the time of day a user may log in and what applications can be run. It also monitors URLs and keystrokes, and periodically takes screenshots. WatchDog has direct Windows-policy integration to enable many advanced security features on a per-user basis.
Version 9.3 includes the ability to block websites through the use of white or black lists when using any version of any Web browser, including IE7, Firefox, AOL, Opera. WatchDog filters Websites by checking for keywords in the URL.
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User reviews of WatchDog 9.3
- Average user rating: 0 stars Not yet available
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 3 of 3 user reviewsSee all 3 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: WatchDog 9.3
"Finally some control over my kid's computer use"
Pros: I have had this installed on my computers for about 2 weeks now. I had no trouble downloading and installing the product on a PC with Windows XP (service pack 2). I can set restrictions on the total amount of time, the times of the day, the programs, and the websites that my son uses. We used to argue and yell about my son getting off the computer games after playing for several hours. No longer, he now just accepts that he only has an hour a day (with an extra hour on Saturdays) without any whining. I like the precise control that this allows.
I will be happy to pay for the product at the end of the evaluation period.
Cons: I am still learning how to set up the controls so I don't exclude necessary functions (like printing a document) when I use the tightest level of controls.
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Version: WatchDog 9.3
"Watchdog trashed my internet connection, had to reinstall windows"
Pros: it appears to have many nice features (but due to the severe problems caused by installing the program i never got to try them out.
Cons: Installing the program killed my internet connection, all network connectivity ceased to function, even as a parent user in monitoring only mode. I had to reinstall windows as uninstalling the program did not help. Just to be sure that the watchdog caused this, I repeated the whole experiment, with the same results.
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Version: WatchDog 9.3
"Its about as childproof as a childproof medicine bottle."
Pros: If children couldn't easily close it down it would be great.
Cons: I have it set at the highest security level and the clildren can cause the whole program to lock up and close down easily. I have tried to get support but no one seames to know enough about the program to help me. they only told me that i should have asked for my money back within 30 days.
- See all 3 user reviews Write review
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