Pearl Software Pearl Echo review

Pearl Software used to make Cybersnoop, an internet-monitoring program for home users. Sadly, Cybersnoop is no more. According to Pearl, however, technically savvy parents sometimes use Pearl Echo, the company's small business software.

Pearl Echo is different from the other programs here, as it's designed to be installed on a different PC from the one it's monitoring. This could be perfect if your child has their own computer in their bedroom. For the program to work, the two PCs must be permanently connected on a network. When setting up the server version (you don't need a server operating system to install this as it works under Windows XP) you must specify your server's fixed IP address. If your router doesn't allow you to assign IP addresses permanently, you'll have to get one that does.

Once it's up and running, the program does a good job of preventing inappropriate web access. It passed all of our tests, though it did get a little over eager and block some perfectly legitimate sites for no obvious reason. As well as blocking a breast cancer awareness site, the program wouldn't allow us to read the online edition of Scunthorpe's paper. This problem is now so well known as to be a joke, and it's disappointing that a sophisticated program like this can't work around it.

This program is excellent in many ways. It isn't that difficult to set up, integrates closely with Windows (and with Active Directory, which is a real plus for small business users) and lets you control internet usage across a home or company network. It's great for small business users and IT-minded parents, but you will need to be prepared to find workarounds for the odd idiosyncrasy.

Author: Karl Wright