5 Best File Activity Monitoring Software [2024 List]

Improve file quality and integrity using these reliable tools

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Key notes

  • File monitoring may be used to identify and stop security breaches, solve problems, and guarantee regulatory compliance.
  • Any of the tools discussed below may be a great fit for individuals and organizations.
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This article will explore file activity monitoring tools, showcasing their strengths and advantages. File activity monitoring is a process that tracks and monitors changes made to files and folders on a computer or network.

This type of monitoring can detect and prevent security breaches, troubleshoot issues, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Let us explore some benefits of using some of these tools.

What are the benefits of using file activity monitoring software?

There are many advantages to using these tools. A few of them include the following:

  • Breach detection – By tracking changes made to files and folders, administrators can quickly identify and respond to any suspicious activity, such as unauthorized access or changes to sensitive files. This can help organizations avoid costly data breaches and protect sensitive information.
  • Troubleshooting – Another advantage of file activity monitoring is troubleshooting issues. Administrators can quickly identify the source of a problem and determine the best course of action. This can help organizations minimize downtime and keep systems running smoothly.
  • Regulatory compliance – File activity monitoring can also ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. By tracking changes to files and folders, organizations can demonstrate compliance with HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and SOX regulations.

Many options are available on the market when choosing a file activity monitoring software. So, we discuss some of the best software options available in 2023 below.

What file activity monitoring software should I use?

ADAudit Plus – Activity monitoring for Active Directory

ADAudit Plus is a tool for monitoring and auditing Active Directory, Windows File Servers, and Exchange Server.

It is not a file activity monitoring tool explicitly. However, it can monitor file and folder changes and changes to other types of objects within Active Directory, Windows File Servers, and Exchange Server.

The tool allows administrators to track changes made to files and folders, including who made the change, when the change was made, and what the difference was.

Additionally, it allows administrators to generate detailed reports on file and folder activity and set alerts to notify them of any suspicious activity.

So, ADAudit Plus is a tool that can be used to monitor and audit file and folder activity. Still, it is a broader solution that includes other features such as monitoring and auditing Active Directory, Windows File Servers, and Exchange Server.

Some reasons why we love this tool include the following:

  • Delegated auditing
  • Compliance reporting
  • Historical reporting
  • Alerting and notifications

ADAudit Plus

Great audit tool that offers comprehensive file audit and activity monitoring.
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SolarWinds File Auditing – Real-time monitoring

SolarWinds File Auditing is a file activity monitoring tool. It allows administrators to track and monitor changes made to files and folders on a computer or network, including who made the change, when the change was made, and what the difference was.

It also provides real-time monitoring and alerting for file activity and detailed reporting and search capabilities.

Additionally, it includes a built-in compliance reporting feature that makes it easy to demonstrate compliance with regulations.

With SolarWinds File Auditing, administrators can quickly identify and respond to any suspicious activity and detect unauthorized access or changes to sensitive files. This can help organizations avoid costly data breaches and protect sensitive information.

Overall, SolarWinds File Auditing is a powerful tool for monitoring and auditing file activity in an organization.

Some reasons why we love this tool include the following:

  • Active directory management
  • File server auditing
  • User provisioning
  • SharePoint permissions management
  • Active directory reporting.

⇒ Get SolarWinds File Auditing

Netwrix Auditor – Great for network monitoring

file activity monitoring

Netwrix Auditor is a file activity monitoring tool that allows administrators to track and monitor changes made to files and folders on a computer or network. It provides real-time monitoring and alerting for file activity and detailed reporting and search capabilities.

The software allows one to view who made the change, when the change was made, and what the difference was.

Additionally, it includes a built-in compliance reporting feature that makes it easy to demonstrate compliance with regulations.

This feature can help organizations identify any suspicious activity and unauthorized access or changes to sensitive files, which can help them avoid costly data breaches and protect sensitive information.

Netwrix Auditor also includes monitoring and auditing other areas of your IT infrastructure, such as Active Directory, Exchange, SharePoint, and Office 365.

Overall, Netwrix Auditor is a comprehensive solution for monitoring and auditing file activity as well as other areas of your IT infrastructure.

Some reasons why we love this tool include the following:

  • Using state-in-time reports
  • Configuration best practices
  • Data remediation workflows
  • User activity video recording

⇒ Get Netwrix Auditor

Audit NTFS – Best for NTFS file system

file activity monitoring

Audit NTFS is a file activity monitoring tool that allows administrators to track and monitor changes made to files and folders on a computer or network.

It is specifically designed to monitor the NTFS file system and allows administrators to track who made the change, when it was made and what the difference was.

The software provides real-time monitoring and alerting for file activity and detailed reporting and search capabilities.

Additionally, Audit NTFS allows filtering, sorting, and exporting data to various formats. It also allows you to set up alerts for specific events so that administrators can be notified of any suspicious activity or unauthorized access.

Overall, Audit NTFS is a powerful tool for monitoring and auditing file activity on the NTFS file system.

Some reasons why we love this tool include the following:

  • Customizable filtering
  • Multi-format exporting
  • Detailed audit result

⇒ Get Audit NTFS

LepideAuditor – Free file activity monitoring

file activity monitoring

LepideAuditor is a file activity monitoring tool that allows administrators to track and monitor changes made to files and folders on a computer or network.

It provides real-time monitoring and alerting for file activity and detailed reporting and search capabilities. The software allows one to view who made the change, when the change was made, and what the difference was.

Additionally, it includes a built-in compliance reporting feature that makes it easy to demonstrate compliance with regulations.

This feature can help organizations identify any suspicious activity and unauthorized access or changes to sensitive files, which can help them avoid costly data breaches and protect sensitive information.

LepideAuditor also includes monitoring and auditing other areas of your IT infrastructure, such as Active Directory, Exchange, SharePoint, and Office 365.

Overall, LepideAuditor is a comprehensive solution for monitoring and auditing file activity as well as other areas of your IT infrastructure.

Some reasons why we love this tool include the following:

  • Track account lockouts
  • Active directory security
  • Password expiry notifications
  • Manage inactive accounts
  • Privileged access management

⇒ Get LepideAuditor

Overall, file activity monitoring is critical for protecting against security breaches, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Also, by using one of the software mentioned above, organizations can easily track and monitor changes made to files and folders and take action to protect sensitive information and systems.

Let us know which of these tools you prefer using in the comments below.

More about the topics: Monitoring Software