F.A.Q

We have listed below some questions frequently asked by our customers. We will renew them periodically. If you have any questions that are not mentioned here, please contact our customer service representatives. We will give them our prompt attention.

What is the difference between Surf Audit Professional edition and Enterprise edition ?

Enterprise edition has a file monitoring feature. Enterprise edition can monitor file changes, such as: modify/add/rename/delete.
Please note that Enterprise edition can hide in Task Manager of Windows 2000/NT/XP/2003/Vista. Professional edition can hide in Task Manager of Windows 95/98/me only.

  • I can use Surf Audit in either a single PC or a computer network, right?

Yes. Surf Audit can track all computer activity of a single PC or all computers in a computer network (corporate LAN or remote WAN) .

  • Can Surf Audit record all visited website addresses (URLs) ?

Yes. Surf Audit can record all visited URLs even though Internet history and cookies are deleted. In addition to website address, Surf Audit can record every visited web page title/caption so that you know the web page content directly. 

  • Can Surf Audit monitor people in other cities across a remote network (WAN) who are
    connected by a VPN? How to set the client machines on remote sites ?

    Yes. Surf Audit can monitor computers across WAN/Internet/Intranet, where TCP/IP is installed. You may put either IP address or server name in the field of "Surf Audit Server Name" , which is in Surf Audit Monitor Options.
  • Can Surf Audit work with Windows Terminal Services?

Yes. Surf Audit 2.0  and or above can work fine with Windows Terminal Services.

  • If I am out of office and shut down my computer on which I run Surf Audit Server, can I still record computer activities on other networked PCs ? 

Yes. Even if you do not run Surf Audit Server sometimes, the Monitor program would record data locally, and then would send them to Server when you run Server again.

  • When Surf Audit Server is down , will I lost the client data that Surf Audit Monitor has collected ?

No. When Surf Audit monitor detects that the Surf Audit Server is down or network is unconnected, it will save data locally. When the server is up again, it will send all saved data to the Server.

  • Which back-end database does Surf Audit support? Can we use MS SQL or MSDE ?

You may use MS ACCESS, MS SQL, MSDE, Oracle, ODBC as backend database. The default database Surf Audit uses is MS ACCESS. If you want to monitor more than 50 users at a time, we recommend you use other databases such as MS SQL or MSDE. You may configurate the database setting in "DB Connection Config" (You may find it in Start Menu's Surf Audit Server program group)

       Download, Installation, and Stealth Mode:

  • How many days are allowed for evaluation? Are there any limitations in the trial version?.

There is no functionality limitation except the free trial version is for 15-day and 5-user evaluation. After registration, you will get full functionality. 

  • Which file should I download to try ?

You should download Surf Audit zip file on the Download page. You need unzip tool such as WinZip to uncompress the zip file into two exe files. Finally you will get two files: Surf AuditSvr.exe, Surf AuditMon.exe.

  • How to use the download files to install Surf Audit ?

The program has two parts: Surf Audit Server and Surf Audit Monitor. You need install Surf Audit Server on the computer where you receive the monitoring information, and install Surf Audit Monitor on the computers you wish to monitor.

In Surf Audit Monitor program's Options, you must input the the server's computer name or its IP address in the Server Name field. (The default setting is localhost, which is only for the same single computer monitoring. You need to change it for networked computer monitoring). Usually, this setting is the most important for Surf Audit setup.

You don't need a formal server, and you can use any computer as a server machine to monitor other computers

  • Where do I need to install and run Surf Audit Server and Surf Audit Monitor ? For example, I want to use computer A to monitor the activity of computer B, C, and D.

You should run Surf Audit Server on computer A, and run Surf Audit Monitor on the other three computers: B, C, and D.
If you want to use Surf Audit to track your own PC, you have to run both Surf Audit Server and Monitor on the same PC.

  • I cannot see any computer/user data on my Server computer after I installed Surf Audit Server on my computer, and install Surf Audit Monitor in the computers I wish to monitor. Do I have to do something to set it up? Those computers are already connected on the same computer network.

You must correctly set the "Surf Audit server Name" (or IP address) in Monitor's options. Otherwise, the Monitor doesn't know where should it send the information. 
(Surf Audit Monitor--> Options ---> Networking, the default value is "Localhost". But you need change this setting if you run Surf Audit in a network)

  • I run Surf Audit in a computer network. How do I know Monitor and Server connect correctly and communicate well?

After you install and run Server and Monitor, you can check their logs which are in their "Log" pages. There should be some information like these:

(Monitor Log)
> 15:44:46: Monitor started.
> 15:44:53: Send Success.

(Server Log)
> 15:44:38: Server Started.
> 15:44:53: Data Received.

You can also open the Analyzer to choose User to see if there is your workstation's computer/user name there. Or you may go to Server Active User Page to see if there is computer/user name.

  • Can I install and run Monitor in total stealth mode ? Will the Monitor component be "Hidden"?   Does it run as a service on the client (Monitor) machine?

Yes. During Monitor installation, check the box of "Don't create any icon", then there is no Monitor Icons in the Windows Start Menu. Also, after installation, you should make sure the settings in Monitor Options are appropriate:  uncheck the checkbox [Options -> Standard -> Show Tray Icon on the Right Bottom], check the checkbox in [Options -> Standard -> Invisible in Windows Task] and check the checkbox in [Options -> Standard ->Start up Monitor when Windows Startup] . It runs as a service when you check the [Invisible] on Win95/98/me.

  • After I hide all Monitor icons, how can I reactivate Monitor window because sometimes I need to exit or change Monitor settings?

There are Hot Keys to simply activate Monitor and Server. Please read the help file to get the Hot Key. We will also tell you the Hot Keys after you purchase Surf Audit. Make sure Monitor can "Start up Monitor when Windows Startup" before you hide the Tray Icon on the Right Bottom" 

  • Can I also hide all Server icons and run Server invisibly ?

Yes. The method is similar as Monitor stealth mode. But the Hot Key for Server is different. Please see your readme files.

  • Can we silently install Surf Audit Monitor, hiding all Surf Audit Monitor folder and files ?

Yes. There is a Silent Install method to deploy Surf Audit Monitor:

* You may install Surf Audit Monitor on a computer which is NOT the one you wish to monitor. 
* Use "Silent Installation Tools" of the Monitor program in Start Menu to create a file called "output.exe" (or you may change the name if you would like). You may change the parameters there such as the server name, password, etc. (Please note that the default login password is 1234). 
* Run output.exe in the machine you wish to monitor. 
- Copy the output.exe into those being monitored computers, then double click the output.exe to run it. 
Or:
- If you use Active Directory, then you can set the start script for each user to run output.exe when the user log on the server. (This is a method to remotely deploy Monitor program silently. It just requires running output.exe once for each user).

Silent Install Parameters (to create output.exe):
-stealth
don't show tray icon and hide in Task Manager
-oldpass:1234
check old password
-newpass:1234
set new passwaord
-moninclude:*.*
monitor application file name
-monexclude:abc.exe;cde.exe
don't monitor abc.exe and cde.exe ( exclude applications from being monitored)
-include:*.txt;*.doc
monitor file change
-Include:NA
turn off file monitoring feature
-capture
enable screen capture 

  • We have purchased 600 licenses. We hope to run Surf Audit Monitor on our client machines in a automatic stealth mode. That is, we don't want to install Monitor manually and the client users should not know Monitor is running. Is there any solution for this ? Ultimately we would like to be able to deploy Surf Audit using active directory and be able to set the options at the time of install rather than manually.

Yes. Please read the previous FAQ,  which tells how to create output.exe and set it in Active Directory.

  • If I want to use other database instead of MS ACCESS, how do I configurate the database connection

You may go to (Start Menu)-- Surf Audit Server--DB Connection Config:
* Select the database you use such as MS SQL Server or Oracle 
* Input the parameters, such as user name, password, etc.
* Click "Save Config"
* Click "Create Tables", then click "Go" in the pop-up windows

Notes: 1)  MSDE setting is the same as MS SQL, so also select MS SQL Server for configuration  if you use MSDE.   2) The default database setting is MS ACCESS

  • The Access version of Surf Audit is not efficient for our 200-user monitoring. But we don't have MS SQL. Is there an alternative for this ?

You may try MSDE is free and easy to use. You may download from:  http://www.microsoft.com/sql/msde/ 
Then:
* Install MSDE
* Configurate the MS SQL Server database setting in "DB Connection Config". It is compatible with MSDE.
* Run Surf Audit on MSDE
*  If you need manage your MSDE, you may get some MSDE tools from some third party developers, such as: http://www.ems-hitech.com/msmanager/  

  • How to install and run Monitor on Terminal Services ?

Here are two ways to run stmonitor on terminal services (To monitor all terminal users)

1st way

* Use Administrator to login terminal server
* Install Stmonitor on server
* Run Surf Audit Monitor option

setup Server Name & port
setup the tray & visible option
setup Startup Monitor when Windows starts up (**important)

* Login with terminal services.
* the stMonitor will star up after the terminal user logs in

2nd way

* Use Administrator login terminal server
* Install STMonitor on server

* Go to windows user's property -> profile tab page
* Set the Logon Script to startup.bat (**important)
* Create a batch file named startup.bat on C:\Documents and Settings
* Add the following command line in startup.bat

start "" "C:\Program Files\Surf Audit Monitor\STMONITOR.EXE" -stealth -server:myserver -port:8090
* Login with terminal services.
* the STMonitor will startup after the terminal user logs in

      Payment, License and Registration:

  • How many product licenses I need to purchase if I  want to use my computer to monitor other 8 computers ?

At least 8. The quantity of license you need to purchase depends on how many users you want to monitor at a time. If you also want  to monitor/track  your own computer, then you need to purchase at least 9 licenses.

Please note that the price listed in our BuyNow page is cost per user, if you need monitor any N users at the same time, you need to purchase N licenses. Therefore, precisely the license unit cost is on user basis.

  • Is the software cost one-time payment ? Do I need to pay any annual fee ?

The cost is one-time payment. You don't need to pay any annual fee. We offer free email support.

  • Do I need to register Surf Audit with Hard Codes of both Monitor and Server.

No. To register Surf Audit, You just need to use Server's Hard Code. The registration process in on Surf Audit Server side only.

  • I found my hardcode is different from the one we submitted during the order process. why? Is the unlock key still valid for the new hardcode.

Maybe you are using RAID in your system. (Several hard disks are loaded) The hardcode contains two numbers. In your case, only one number would change, the other number would not change. If so, the unlock key we sent you will work.
Please note that the hard code should start with PRO or ENT and then be followed by two 8-digit hex numbers. But some old versions' hard code would be in different formats, which would end with 02 or E2. If you need upgrade the old version to the latest version, you must request a new unlock key from us.

  • I have not received my unlock key after I place an order, why ?

The unlock key will be send within 2 business days (usually within one day). Please check your spam setting to enable your email application to receive the unlock key. Or you can click here to query your unlock key by entering your Kagi TransactionID.

  • I am using Surf Audit and want to order additional licenses. How should I do ?

When you need more licenses:

* Order the additional licenses online on the BuyNow page
* We will send you a new unlock key for total quantity of user numbers. (original +newly purchased)
* Click the "R" button on the Surf Audit Server panel to unregister the software. (The "R" button appears after registration)
* Register the software again with the new unlock key

  • Can I use more than one Server ? For example, I want to use Computer A to monitor 8 computers, and use Computer B to monitor another 7 workstations?

Yes. In your case, you  need to purchase 15 licenses. But you must register Surf Audit with two Servers' Hard Codes. Please contact us before purchase. We will assist you in registration.

  • If we need change the Server machine's hardware, can we get a new unlock key for the new machine?

Yes. We have a New Unlock Key Policy in case clients need change their Server hardware:
Surf Audit customers can get a new unlock key in case they need change the server machine hardware. But there are three limitations:
* In a one-year period, customer can have no more than three chances to get a new unlock key
* There should be at least 120 days between two requests to get a new unlock key
* In a consecutive 3-year period, customer can have no more than four chances to get a new unlock key

       Using Surf Audit and Data Management:

  • Can I know what my employees are doing on their computers ? I want to know each computer's current status. How ?

Yes. Surf Audit implements real-time monitoring. On the Surf Audit Server panel, choose "Active User", then you can see all users' current status.

  • How to get the latest data in Analyzer ?

You may simply click "Refresh" button to refresh all data in Analyzer. You can also go to each report page such as Detail Log and Web Log, to right click mouse to select "Refresh" .

  • How to print out a report in Analyzer ? Sometimes I also just want to get a report for a particular activity

Print a report of a particular activity on a user: 

* In Analyzer, select the users and the programs (files) you wish to monitor
* In Analyzer, click the "e" button, (looks like the IE), the export the report to your Browser
* Use your browser "print" function to print out that report. (In Detail Log, you may also export data to Excel, so that you can print out the data with Excel)

In addition, you may create a new group for a set of programs related to the activity. For example, drag outlook, IE, MSN explorer, etc into a new group. Then you can monitor Internet activity.

  •  We need to monitor 400 computers which are in 4 departments. Four department managers want to use their computers to run analyzer respectively. Is there a method to share the Analyzer?

Yes. Here is a method for you to share analyzer so that all four managers can use analyzer  respectively:

0) Install Surf Audit Server in one computer's  non-windows system directory
(Important: Don't install it under C:\program files, you must install Server in other directory, like
c:\tools\Surf Audit server\
c:\Surf Audit server\

1) Share the Server's installation directory to other 3 computers so that they can access the shared directory 

2) Set the shared directory writable (fully shared: write and read)

3) On other 3 computers, run STAnalyser.exe, the Analyzer executable file in the shared directory 

4) To get the latest data, use "Refresh" button. You will get almost real-time data.

  • How does Surf Audit track time usage? I don't understand the what those columns mean in Analyzer reports?

Surf Audit is 100% live tracking to the second. When there is no mouse movement and no keyboard press in 1 minute, Surf Audit Monitor will think it is inactive status. There is a setting in Monitor Options to allow user to define the idle time before going into inactive status. The default value is 1 minute (60 seconds). In Analyzer:

Active --- Surf Audit thinks the application is in active status
Inactive/Inactive --- Surf Audit thinks the application is in inactive status
STime --- Start time of the activity
ETime --- End time of the activity

  • Is there a way to purge the old data automatically after a specific time? The database is huge now.

Yes. Surf Audit provides an option in Server to purge data automatically after a specific time. Go to Surf Audit Server--- Options---Deletebase--- Data Cleanup, to check the option box and input the day number

  • Can I manipulate the data by myself and create my own report?

Yes. Standard version Surf Audit is using an Access database to record data, so you can read it using ACCESS, VC, VB, DELPHI to create your own report or application for free. The database is open to users.

  • Which network port does Surf Audit use ?

Surf Audit uses UDP 8090 to send the data.

  • I encountered "UDP port 8090 has been used" problem. What can I do ?

You can change Surf Audit server's configuration, using other unused UDP port like (11000,23999 ...), But you must change your monitor's configuration to the same port number at the same time.

  • I encountered "Please use administrator to Run these server !' Message, What can I do?

Surf Audit must run in the administrator authority. You should have the administrator authority, You can right click the STserver.exe , chose "Run As.. " to run server in administrator authority.

  • If we need change Server machine's hardware, can we get a new unlock key for the new machine?
    Yes. We have a new Unlock Key Policy in case clients need change their Server hardware:
    Surf Audit customers can get a new unlock key in case they need change server machine hardware. But there are three registrations:
    * In a one-year period, customer can have no more than two chances to get a new unlock key
    * There should be at least 120 days between two requests to get a new unlock key
    * In a consecutive 3-year period, customer can have no more than three chances to get a new unlock key.
  •    System Requirements:
  • Do I need to purchase additional hardware if I want to monitor all computers in a computer network?

No. You can use any computer to monitor all computers in a network.
  • What are the computer system requirements to run Surf Audit Server and Surf Audit Monitor?
    Monitor Requirements:
    • IBM compatible PC with a Pentium-Class Microprocessor.
    • 3 MB free disk space.
    • TCP/IP network protocol.
    • Windows 9x, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

Server Requirements:

  • IBM compatible PC with a Pentium-Class Microprocessor.
  • 3 MB free disk space.
  • TCP/IP network protocol.
  • Windows 95 should have DCOM95 and MDAC 2.5 or grater installed.
  • Windows 98 first edition or Windows NT 4.0 should have MDAC 2.5 or grater installed.
  • Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 or Windows XP, you must have Administrator privilege to run the Surf Audit Server.