The 2021 Complete road map to remote monitoring user activities

The 2021 complete road map to remote monitoring user activities. Remote monitoring user activities may sound complicated, but it actually simply consists of tracking as well as surveilling any and all activities that take place during working hours.

It isn’t as nefarious as it sounds either, and its main goal is to protect sensitive data and company information, as well as prevent external threats from malicious individuals.

Frankly speaking, remote monitoring can cover several aspects and is very diverse. It often includes keeping tabs on messages on instant messaging apps, applications that are open, system adjustments implemented, and various other on-screen tasks.

Because of how diverse it is, you may not know where to start when you want to monitor user activities. In this article you will find out exactly how employee tracking solutions can monitor employees, and how you can use them to improve both security as well as productivity.

 

Complete road map to remote monitoring user activities

 

There are various methods of monitoring user activities in today’s digital age.

 

Methods for monitoring user activities

 

Below are some typical approaches you can make use of to keep an eye on employee tasks:

 

1. Keystroke Logging

 

Keystroke logging (or keylogging) is a type of monitoring that captures the input from an individual’s keyboard. In other words it will record every key that is pressed regardless of whether you’re scrolling and searching for a website, writing an email, composing an article, or anything else for that matter.

By using keystroke logging you can capture and save an audit log consisting of data about every keystroke on a computer system. That data can then be used to track down unwanted activity or potential data breaches.

The big downside of using keystroke logging is the fact that the majority of workers typically see this as an intrusion of personal privacy. That is because the software program (keylogger) that is used will not distinguish between what is private and what is not, and can capture sensitive information such as passwords, or personal conversations. 

 

2. Screenshot Surveillance

 

Screenshot surveillance is pretty straightforward, and consists of capturing screenshots of an individual’s computer system display. The screenshots can be taken automatically at fixed intervals, or on-demand – depending mostly on the tracking software application that you choose to use.

The screenshots will let you ‘see’ what employees are up to and spot any indications of unwanted activity.

As you may expect, screenshot surveillance is also often seen as potentially intrusive. Just like keystroke logging it may end up capturing personal information such as passwords or personal conversations that can be considered a violation of their privacy.

 

3. Unimportant Site Blocking

 

Many security breaches take place because employees unintentionally visit websites that contain malware and other threats. In some cases it may not only compromise their workstation, but also spread to other computers on the network.

With site blocking, you’ll be able to limit your employees’ access to various websites. That in turn can ensure that they don’t accidentally visit sites that aren’t protected or that contain malicious code.

It should be noted that site blocking can also be used to obstruct websites that can sidetrack employees and make them waste time that should be spent working. For example you could use it to block social media platforms, video streaming websites, and so on.

 

4. Email Monitoring

 

Work e-mail addresses should ideally only be used for work-related matters, and not for personal use. The reason for that is simple: If the e-mail addresses are used to send out emails that are not work-related, it could create a vulnerability in the security of the company.

Because of that, many companies feel that it is justified to use e-mail tracking and check whether or not their employees are using their work e-mail addresses to send out personal emails. However if you feel that may be seen as too intrusive, you could make use of a filter to block non-work e-mails instead of monitoring them.

 

5. Real-Time Monitoring

 

Real-time monitoring refers to an ongoing recording of all the activities that are carried out on their computer system. In other words at any given time all activities are being monitored using time monitoring and worker surveillance software.

The results of real time monitoring may then be recorded as messages or screenshots, or saved as a log file so that it can be referred to later. The data from tracking can be an invaluable asset when responding to any safety or security issue that is flagged.

 

 

The safest way to monitor productivity

 

If you want to monitor the productivity of your employees, the safest way is by using straightforward worker surveillance software that isn’t covert. Because they aren’t hidden, they are a much less intrusive means to track your employees and their tasks -and can be utilized by both remote as well as in-office groups.

Employee tracking software normally has various features such as time monitoring and disturbance monitoring. Together those features can help to track the time being spent on tasks and measure efficiency as well as time wastage.

 

Work Examiner

 

One of the best efficiency monitoring software applications out there is Workexaminer. It can help you to track your remote or internal workers easily and without any hassle. On top of that its features are more than comprehensive and you’ll have tons of options at your disposal.

To be on the safe side, you should make sure that your monitoring is in compliance with any privacy or data protection regulations. For example many jurisdictions require that you notify your employees that they’re being monitored and explain what data you’re going to capture.

Additionally although it may not be required by law, it helps if you explain the reason why you’re using employee monitoring software and the benefits that it will provide. Be sure to provide avenues for your employees to give feedback, so that they know that their voices are heard.

 

Final thoughts

 

At the end of the day monitoring user activities isn’t all that complicated – especially with the software available nowadays. That being said you should think long and hard about exactly how you want to monitor your employees, and what you want to gain from doing so. I hope you have learned one or two from this complete road map to remote monitoring user activities article. 

Do not hesitate to leave your comments below if you have anything to share.