HomeGuard Pro, also sold as HomeGuard Professional, is a Windows activity-monitoring and filtering program from Veridium Software for homes and small offices. It records computer activity, blocks websites, programs and storage devices, and limits Internet time. Its distinguishing part is a server component: a controller computer collects the records from the monitored machines and changes their settings over the network. HomeGuard Pro is paid software licensed per computer, with a free trial.
Controller and monitored computers
The standard HomeGuard edition watches the single computer it is installed on. HomeGuard Pro adds a server that runs as a Windows service and keeps a central database. Client computers synchronize their logs with it, letting administrators review activity from several machines in one place.
Administrators can also edit rules on the server and apply them to a client remotely. HomeGuard Pro compresses data travelling between the two and encrypts it with 256-bit encryption. The basic Pro license covers one controller plus one monitored computer, and further computers are added through multi-device licenses.
During setup, the administrator chooses a master administrative password. That password is needed to open the dashboard, read the logs and change any rule. HomeGuard Pro protects its core files from modification or removal by standard users.
Website and content filtering
Web filtering in HomeGuard Pro has two layers. An automatic filter analyses page content as it loads, using keyword detection rather than a fixed database of adult addresses. This lets it block a single offending page while the rest of the site stays reachable. Its sensitivity can be adjusted. HomeGuard Pro enforces Safe Search on Google and Bing and keeps YouTube in Restricted Mode.
The second layer is manual. A blacklist accepts site names, full URLs or keywords. A whitelist works the other way: everything is blocked except approved sites. Rules can follow a day-and-hour schedule and apply only to chosen Windows accounts, leaving parent or administrator profiles unrestricted.
Filtering also works by file type. HomeGuard Pro can stop downloads of executables and heavy media files. Because enforcement happens on network traffic at system level, it also covers HTTPS, private browsing windows and portable browsers. It is also designed to resist proxy servers.
When someone opens a blocked site, HomeGuard Pro can show a block page. In stealth mode HomeGuard Pro simply drops the connection and the site looks unavailable.
Program rules and usage statistics
When an application is added to a rule, HomeGuard Pro stores a signature of the file. Renaming or moving the program does not get around the rule, and updated versions are still recognized. HomeGuard Pro can block a program completely, allow it only at certain hours or days, or give it a daily time allowance. Groups of programs, such as several games or chat apps, can share a daily or weekly total.
Per program, the log shows active usage time, total run time, bandwidth, mouse clicks and keystrokes. Charts list the most used applications and most visited websites, and reports can be exported as HTML, CSV or PDF.
Internet time limits
Internet schedules are drawn on a weekly grid in 15-minute steps, for example to block access during homework hours. A daily quota can be set instead, letting the user spend, say, two hours online whenever they choose within the allowed windows.
When time runs out, HomeGuard Pro either logs the user off or locks the screen, cuts only network access, or blocks selected programs such as browsers and games. HomeGuard Pro detects changes to the system clock.
Screenshots and keystroke logs
HomeGuard Pro takes screenshots on a timer, at set times of day or on chosen weekdays. It also takes screenshots when a website opens, a program starts, a chat message is sent or received, or a file is printed. HomeGuard Pro links each capture to the activity that triggered it and to the window title. Users can browse captures in a gallery or open them in a full view.
The keystroke logger records text typed in every program, together with the program name, time and window title. It handles non-Latin scripts. HomeGuard Pro keeps the searchable logs in an encoded database that only the administrative password opens. It monitors chat and email traffic and can filter it. It also records search terms entered on Google, Yahoo and Bing.
USB, printer and network control
Flash drives, external disks and card readers can be blocked fully, set to read-only, or blocked with exceptions for approved devices identified by hardware ID. HomeGuard Pro logs each insertion and removal with device details. It can likewise monitor and block printers, and it logs and filters network connections.
Stealth, alerts and tamper protection
By default HomeGuard Pro runs hidden, without a tray icon, Task Manager entry or listing among installed programs. The administrator can instead enable a tray icon and on-screen warnings so users know when something has been blocked. Without the password, users cannot close or uninstall the program. HomeGuard Pro records failed password attempts and tampering with installation files as security events. It can also send email alerts to the administrator.
