How To Capture the Internet Activity On Your Computer

Use computer monitoring software to capture the Internet activity on your computer. There are various kinds of software tools available that are capable of capturing the activity of website visits, internet chat conversations, emails sent through webmail and images viewed on a computer. Try using freeware or shareware that's offered online. Look for features that allow you to log Internet activity and control or restrict users access on your computer.

Instructions

Step 1:

Select a computer monitoring software tool from the Internet of your choice. Use trial versions of the software tools that you can download on your computer and compare. Visit websites such as “Cnet”, “Shareware Connection” and “Free Downloads Center” that offer different types of computer monitoring software that can be used to log your computer's Internet activity.

Step 2:

Follow Windows installation instructions for installing the application. When the software tool is finished installing its files on your computer, double-click on the software icon to open the application. Then, configure the filtering settings to log Internet activity on your computer.

Step 3:

Follow the software instructions for configuring the filtering settings. Since, many computer monitoring and Internet filtering software features vary, make certain that you carefully follow the instructions for recording Internet activity on your computer. Many computer monitoring and Internet filtering software tools allow you to customize the filtering settings based on who is using the Internet on your computer. Some software tools allow you to monitor and log Internet activity, as well as block access to certain websites and files according to the type of filter that you have enabled.

Step 4:

Review the computer monitoring and Internet filtering software features. Then,  determine if you want to continue using it on your computer. Normally, after using freeware or shareware on a trial basis, the software filtering tool may become inactive after about 30-days, unless you decide to purchase the software from the developer's website.

Step 5:

Purchase the computer monitoring software from the developer's website. Continue using the software tool to log and monitor your computer's Internet activity.

Tips

If you don't want to install computer monitoring and filtering software on your computer, you can still monitor Internet activity by studying the cookie text files that are left on your computer after someone visits a website. The cookie files are usually located in a folder on your hard drive. Open your web browser and type, “C:\Documents and Settings\User's Name\Cookies” in the address box. You will need to know the  “User's Name” of the individual that logs on to the Internet with your computer to examine the cookie files.