Your very own personal net nan, providing you with an

Insight into your Childrens Unaccompanied activity

ICU Child Monitoring Software FAQ

Your questions answered.

Installation

Q: How do I upgrade to the latest version of ICU?
A: Please make sure to fully uninstall the old version (see below for help). Once your old version is removed it is simply a case of using the new installer to upgrade.

Q: I see a lot of permission errors when trying to run the initial setup after installing?
A: In order to install ICU you will need access to a user account that has full administrator privileges.

Q: I see a message "To run this application, you first must install..."

A: In order to run ICU you need to have the .net framework version 2 or better installed. This would normally be part of your Windows update but you can download the installer from here.

Q: Does a monitored user need administrator privileges, my kids are only setup as normal users?
A: No, Administrator privileges are only needed when installing the software, any level of user can be monitored.

Q: Can I install the software on more than one computer?
A: Yes. The license permits you to install the software on any computer you own.

Q: Do I need access to a mail server to send activity reports?
A: ICU manages it's own e-mail messages so there is no need for you specify any mail server details. However if the Email test fails please see below for the solution.

Q: Can I install this on any computer?
A: No, you should only install ICU on a computer which you own.

Q: How do I remove ICU?
A: As per the Readme that comes with the software you MUST STOP ICU RUNNING BEFORE USING THE UNINSTALLATION PROCESS. To do this login to ICU and use the "Close ICU" button. You can then use your control panels remove software functionality to fully uninstall ICU. If you have attemtpted to uninstall with ICU still running the easiest solution is to then stop ICU (as above) and manually remove the ICU folder from your Program Files directory.

Monitoring Questions

Q: I've used the Email Test button to make sure my e-mail account works, it says the message can not be delivered, why?
A: Some ISPs (Verizon for example) block the standard e-mail port, port number 25. You can bypass this in ICU by using the SMTP2Go service, once you have signed up for your SMTP2Go account all you need to do in ICU is enter one of your SMTP2Go e-mail addresses (where specified) and check the "Use Relay" box. From now on all activity reports will be delivered via the SMTP2Go service over port 8025, once the Use Relay box is checked the Test button now verifies sending via a relay. Please note that the ICU author has no control over the SMTP2Go service, essentially we just think their service is the simplest and best possible solution to ISPs blocking port 25. Once you have your SMTP2Go account you can use it anywhere where a SMTP server is required, not just ICU.

Q: I've used the Test button to make sure my e-mail account works, no error was reported but the test e-mail hasn't turned up?
A: If ICU didn't report an error sending the test message then it has been delivered to your account, you should check your spam filter/folder.

Q: What about firewalls and other security software?
A: Security software may stop activity e-mails being sent. Where possible you should grant permission to ICU, failing that ICU will continue to capture activity without e-mailing it, it can then be purged.

Q: Can I use ICU without an internet connection?
A: Yes. Activity will be recorded but not mailed, you will need to use the Purge To Directory function to view activity.

Q: Should I run ICU in Stealth Mode?
A: This is tough and depends on your children. Personally I find that having the icon present reminds my daughter that she's being monitored!

Q: Is running ICU a security risk?
A: ICU does not log keystrokes, record passwords or anything else that could compromise security. ICU only records the screen so if a password is displayed as **** then that is how the activity is recorded.

Q: I don't like the idea of monitoring my children, it shows a lack of trust and besides my kids would never do anything wrong?
A: Congratulations on producing the very first perfect human beings but why are you even reading this?

Q: There is no such thing as adults grooming young children, all this talk of paedophiles using the internet is hugely exagerated and nothing more than scare mongering?
A: Wake up, these are your children and you owe them a duty of care.
Warning over net grooming danger
What is grooming and online child abuse
A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety for Youngsters

Support

Q: Where can I get email support?
A: E-mail support details are included in the readme.txt that comes with each download.

That's all for now, more answers will be added as questions are asked.....frequently.