Network Spy is a free open-source Windows application that can be handy in situations where you wish to monitor remote desktop sessions. The software follows the traditional client and server installs and spying is accomplished by the client receiving screenshots of the remote server every few minutes. Without any interaction being possible, the application is strictly for monitoring systems from afar. This does not have to be nefarious in nature, there exists many reasons of positive ethical labeling – though ultimate usage is left to you, the user!

Installing and configuring Network Spy is extremely simple – one of the huge advantageous the software has over similar applications. The download is quite large, over 60 MB, but it includes both the client and the server installs. Install the server application by executing the appropriate exe; setup and configuration is no more troubling than providing a port number and click Listen. You can hide the window at this point but you should know it’s only visually hidden – a savvy user can see the application running in Task Manager, where it could be killed.

Now install the client version of the software on which ever computer that you will use as the viewer. Connecting the server is as simple as supplying the IP address and then the port number you configured in the previous step. Then click Connect. During use I noticed the first screenshot took a bit longer to appear than you’d imagine – perhaps 15-20 seconds. Just maintain patience, the program didn’t crash or otherwise hang!

Network Spy is compatible with all recent iterations of Windows, from XP to Windows 7 64 bit.

Download Network Spy