Computer Monitoring Software Built for IT and System Administrators
Get clear visibility into every company computer, from the apps that run to the files that leave. CurrentWare gives IT teams one console to monitor endpoints, investigate incidents, and produce audit-ready reports, whether you host it on your own servers or in CurrentWare Cloud.
- Track application use, websites, search terms, active and idle time, USB activity, and screenshots
- Deploy agents remotely across Windows endpoints, Citrix, and RDS sessions
- Run it on-premises to keep data in your environment, or move to CurrentWare Cloud for AI governance and advanced data loss prevention
Plans start at $6 USD per user per month
*No credit card required · 14-day free trial · For on-prem pricing, contact Sales
Why IT Teams Use Computer Monitoring Software
Computer monitoring software records user and device activity on company endpoints so IT can answer questions with evidence: which software is installed but unused, who copied files to a USB drive last Tuesday, or why a workstation shows eight hours logged in but two hours of activity. In security frameworks, this capability is often called User Activity Monitoring (UAM).
CurrentWare covers four jobs for system and IT administrators:
Security investigations
Trace unauthorized applications usage, risky websites, after-hours access, and file transfers back to a user, device, and time.
Data loss prevention
See and control data moving to removable media, cloud storage, and network shares.
Software asset management
Measure real application usage so you can reclaim unused licenses before renewals.
Compliance evidence
Keep activity logs that support audits under HIPAA, SOC 2, GDPR, NIST 800-171, CMMC, and ISO 27001.
What CurrentWare’s Computer Monitoring Software Tracks
Each data type is available per user, per device, and per group, with historical reports, real-time dashboards, scheduled email reports, and alerts.
Application and Software Usage
Underused software costs businesses an estimated $34 billion a year. App usage tracking shows which applications run on each endpoint and how long they are in active use, so you can make license decisions from usage data rather than install counts.
- Find the utilization rate of specific applications across departments
- Identify SaaS tools and desktop software that have fallen out of use
- Spot unapproved software before it becomes a security or licensing problem
- Right-size licenses ahead of renewals with software license optimization reports
Web Browsing and Search Activity
Internet monitoring logs the websites users visit, time spent on each, and search terms entered. Sites are categorized automatically as productive, unproductive, or restricted.
- Set alerts for visits to high-risk sites or categories
- Use search history as context during security investigations
- Pair with BrowseControl to block sites and categories once you see where the risk is
Active vs. Idle Time
Idle time tracking separates time when a user is interacting with the device from time when the device is on but unattended. Logged-in hours alone do not tell you whether a workstation is being used. Active time does, and it also helps you detect mouse jigglers and other activity simulators.
File Transfers and USB / Removable Media
AccessPatrol logs file activity on removable media, cloud storage services, and network shares, and can block unauthorized devices and transfers in real time.
- Receive real-time email alerts when users violate endpoint security policies
- Review USB activity reports showing files copied, created, deleted, or renamed
- Trace a suspected data breach back to the user, device, file, and time
- Allow approved USB devices and block everything else
Screenshots and Screen Activity
Screenshot monitoring captures screens on a schedule you configure or lets you view desktops remotely when an investigation needs it.
- Capture high-resolution or compressed screenshots to manage storage
- Each screenshot is tagged with the application or website in use, the time, and the computer name
- Limit screenshot capture to the groups and situations that need it
Location Insights
The Location Insights dashboard shows how much of your workforce works in-office, remotely, or hybrid over a given period, and compares activity across those groups. For IT, it confirms that monitoring and policies apply the same way on and off the corporate network.
Dashboards and Reports
Get web browsing, application, bandwidth, and productivity data in dashboards you can filter and drill into. Schedule reports to arrive by email, export logs for audits, and send events to your SIEM.
How CurrentWare Works
A lightweight agent runs on each monitored endpoint. It records activity in the background and sends it securely to the CurrentWare console, hosted either on your own server or in CurrentWare Cloud. Administrators manage policies, reports, and alerts from the web console.
Deploy Agents at Scale
Push the client to endpoints with remote deployment instead of installing it machine by machine. Organize computers and users into groups so each policy applies only where it should. Check the system requirements before planning your rollout.
Monitor On and Off the Network
Because monitoring runs at the endpoint, it works whether a laptop is on the office’s network, home broadband, or a mobile hotspot. No VPN connection is required for activity to be logged or policies to be enforced.
Citrix, Terminal Server, and RDS Support
CurrentWare is Citrix Ready and supports Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, Microsoft RDS, and other terminal server environments. Activity is recorded at the individual user session level, so each user’s activity is attributed correctly even when many users share one host. Read the Citrix and AVD multi-session tracking guide for details.
Transparent or Stealth Mode
Run the agent transparently, with periodic notifications that remind users monitoring is in place, or in stealth mode for an active investigation. Most organizations use transparent mode as the default, supported by a written monitoring policy, and switch to stealth only when an investigation calls for it.
Access Control and Privacy Settings
Control who can see monitoring data and how long it is kept.
- Password-protect the console and limit report access by role
- Automatically delete activity data after a retention period you set
- Schedule monitoring to collect data only during work hours
- See privacy controls and platform security for the full list.
Integrations
CurrentWare works alongside the identity, directory, and security tools you already run, with support for SAML, OIDC, and CEF. Forward activity events to Splunk, IBM QRadar, LogRhythm, or Elastic through SIEM integration, and sync users from Microsoft Active Directory or Entra ID.
Computer Monitoring Use Cases for IT Admins
Investigate Insider Threats
When an alert fires or HR raises a concern, reconstruct what happened from application logs, web history, file transfer records, and screenshots. Switch the user’s agent to stealth mode if the investigation needs to stay confidential.
Offboard Employees Safely
Watch for unusual USB copying, uploads to personal cloud storage, or bulk file activity during an employee’s notice period. Pair monitoring with the IT offboarding checklist.
Find Shadow IT
Identify applications and web services users have adopted without IT approval, then decide whether to approve, replace, or block them.
Prepare for Audits
Export activity logs as evidence that access to sensitive systems is recorded and reviewed. Detailed logs support HIPAA audit control requirements, SOC 2 system monitoring criteria, and NIST 800-171 audit and accountability controls.
Cut Unused Software Spend
Compare license counts against actual active use and reclaim seats before renewal. Try the software cost savings calculator to estimate the savings.
Troubleshoot Productivity Complaints
When a manager reports that a team seems less productive, check whether the cause is a slow application, a schedule mismatch, or excess non-work browsing before anyone draws conclusions.
Deployment Options: On-Premises or CurrentWare Cloud
CurrentWare is one of the few computer monitoring platforms that offers both a self-hosted and a cloud deployment.
| Option | Where data lives | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| On-premises | Your own Windows Server, or a private cloud VM you control in Azure or AWS. No user activity data is sent to CurrentWare’s servers. | Regulated industries, government contractors, and organizations with strict data residency or internal hosting policies. |
| CurrentWare Cloud | Hosted and maintained by CurrentWare. | Teams that want no server to maintain, fast rollout to distributed workforces, and access to the newest features listed below. |
Why Choose CurrentWare Cloud
CurrentWare Cloud removes server maintenance and upgrades from your workload, and it includes capabilities that are not available in on-premises deployments.
AI Usage Insights
See which AI tools your users access, including ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Claude, Gemini, and other AI platforms, broken down by user, department, and device. Detect shadow AI tools as soon as they appear, get alerts on first-time access, and block or allow specific AI platforms by group.
File Blocking
Keep approved apps open while stopping the uploads that create risk. Block specific file types, such as .pdf, .xlsx, .csv, .docx, or .zip, from being uploaded to AI assistants, cloud storage, messaging apps, and personal webmail. Rules apply by user or group, and every blocked attempt is logged.
PII/PHI Redaction
Detect credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, health identifiers, and other sensitive values on the clipboard and replace them with x’s before they are pasted into a web form, chat app, or AI prompt. Redactions are logged without storing the original sensitive value.
Monitoring Employee Computers Legally
Employee computer monitoring is legal in the United States and most other jurisdictions when it is done on company-owned systems, with notice, and for a legitimate business purpose. The points below are a general reference, not legal advice. Consult qualified counsel before you roll out a monitoring program.
United States
The Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) allows employers to monitor electronic communications on employer-owned systems. Several states add notice requirements:
New York (NY Civil Rights Law § 52-c): employers must give prior written notice that telephone, email, and internet use may be monitored. In effect since May 2022.
Connecticut (CGS § 31-48d): employers must give prior written notice before electronic monitoring.
California: courts apply a heightened expectation of privacy, so keep monitoring limited to company-owned devices and systems.
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) tracks state privacy and monitoring laws as they change.
HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC 2
HIPAA: the Security Rule requires audit controls that record and examine activity on systems containing ePHI (45 CFR § 164.312(b)). Computer monitoring logs provide that record.
GDPR: monitoring must be proportionate, transparent, and limited to its stated purpose. Complete a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) before deploying in the EU or EEA, and disclose monitoring in your employee privacy notice.
SOC 2: user activity logs support evidence for the logical access and system monitoring criteria under the Security trust services category.
Best practice in every jurisdiction is a written Acceptable Use Policy or Employee Monitoring Policy that employees acknowledge. Start with the workplace monitoring policy template.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for reference only and does not constitute legal advice.
How Teams Use Currentware
Trusted by teams across the United States, Canada & the United Kingdom
Join 100,000+ professionals across 55 countries.
What customers say about CurrentWare
Across the whole CurrentWare Suite.
90% of reviewers would recommend BrowseReporter (average likelihood to recommend: 9 out of 10).
Solutions That Work Across Industries
Tailored controls that help you meet industry standards, boost efficiency, and protect sensitive data across remote and in-office teams.
Healthcare
HIPAA-ready controls to protect PHI with USB management and insider-threat visibility.
Government
Cybersecurity and policy enforcement aligned to NIST 800-171 and CMMC.
Legal Services
Keep client data protected, billable hours productive, and software costs in check.
Manufacturing
Productivity monitoring and internet visibility for both the shop floor and back office.
Financial Services
Enforce access policies and protect sensitive financial data with audit-ready trails.
Schools & Libraries
CIPA-compliant web filtering to qualify for E-Rate and keep students safe online.
Small Business Employee Productivity
Track unproductive web browsing and idle time to detect time-wasting
Managed Service Providers
Deliver the monitoring, data-loss prevention, and web filtering your clients need, now with faster deployment, and easier management.
Built to Support Your Compliance Program
Discover how organizations use CurrentWare’s employee monitoring software to improve visibility, strengthen compliance efforts, and manage employee activity more effectively.
Pick & Plug Into Your Existing Stack
CurrentWare works alongside the identity, security, and directory tools you already use, including support for SAML, OIDC, and CEF standards. Cloud connectors are on the way.
- Tested & supported
- Generic standards (SAML, OIDC, CEF)
- On the roadmap (Cloud)
Frequently asked
Frequently Asked Questions:
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A lightweight agent installed on each endpoint records activity such as applications used, websites visited, active and idle time, file transfers, and screenshots. It sends that data securely to the CurrentWare console, either on your own server or in CurrentWare Cloud, where administrators view dashboards, run reports, and set alerts.
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Use CurrentWare’s remote deployment to push the client to endpoints from the console, then organize computers and users into groups for policy assignment. Review the system requirements in the knowledge base before you start.
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CurrentWare tracks application and software usage, web browsing and search terms, active and idle time, USB and removable media activity, file transfers to cloud storage and network shares, scheduled screenshots, and location (in-office, remote, or hybrid).
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With an on-premises deployment, all data stays on your own Windows Server or private cloud VM, and no user activity data is sent to CurrentWare. With CurrentWare Cloud, data is hosted by CurrentWare. See the Data Processing Addendum for details on cloud data handling.
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On-premises gives you full control over where data is stored and suits strict data residency requirements. CurrentWare Cloud removes server maintenance and adds features not available on-premises, including AI Usage Insights, File Blocking, and PII/PHI Redaction.
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Yes. Monitoring runs at the endpoint, so activity is logged and policies are enforced on any network, including home broadband and mobile hotspots. No VPN is required.
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Yes. CurrentWare is Citrix Ready and supports Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, Microsoft RDS, and terminal server environments. Activity is attributed to each user session rather than to the shared host.
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The monitoring agent is fully supported on Windows. BrowseReporter also offers Mac monitoring; feature support on macOS varies by module, so contact the CurrentWare team to confirm what you need before planning a deployment.
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Yes. CurrentWare supports CEF and integrates with SIEM platforms such as Splunk, IBM QRadar, LogRhythm, and Elastic.
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Yes. You can password-protect the console, limit report access by role, schedule monitoring to work hours only, and set automatic data retention periods.
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Both modes are available. Transparent mode notifies users that monitoring is in place and is recommended for everyday use. Stealth mode is available for active investigations.
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Yes, on company-owned devices and networks under the ECPA. Several states, including New York and Connecticut, require prior written notice. Consult legal counsel for your jurisdiction.
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Computer monitoring focuses on activity on desktops and laptops: applications, web use, file operations, and screens. Employee monitoring is a broader term that can include physical access, phone, and GPS tracking. User Activity Monitoring (UAM) is the security-focused term used in IT and cybersecurity, centred on insider threat detection and audit trails. CurrentWare covers computer monitoring and UAM from a single agent.
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CurrentWare starts at $12 USD per user per month, with volume pricing available. Contact Sales for on-premises pricing. A 14-day free trial lets you test the platform before you buy.