Aktiv Track takes screenshots on Windows and Mac computers, but only when the app is running and you have not paused it

Aktiv Track is employee monitoring software made by Teramind. When active, it captures screenshots of your screen at regular intervals — typically every 10 to 30 seconds, depending on how the administrator set it up. The screenshots go to a server that your employer or the person who installed the software can access.

The key word is "when active." Aktiv Track only records while the process is running. If you close it or pause monitoring, it stops taking pictures. However, if your employer installed it on a work computer they own, they can restart it remotely, and you may not see it happen.

This matters because screenshot monitoring is different from keystroke logging or network monitoring. A screenshot shows what you were looking at, but not necessarily what you typed or which websites you visited in the background. It also cannot see inside password-protected applications or encrypted messages — only what appears on your screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Aktiv Track captures screenshots at intervals set by the administrator, typically every 10 to 30 seconds while the app is running.
  • Screenshots are stored on a server your employer can view, so anything visible on your screen during work hours may be recorded.
  • The software only works when active; closing it stops recording, but an administrator can turn it back on remotely.
  • Screenshots show what is on your screen but not what you typed, which websites you visited in other tabs, or content inside encrypted apps.

What gets recorded and what does not

Aktiv Track records the visual content of your screen — windows, documents, browser tabs, applications, and anything else displayed. If you have multiple monitors, it can capture all of them. The screenshots are timestamped, so your employer can see exactly when you were looking at what.

What it does not capture: keystrokes you type (unless a separate keystroke logger is also installed), the contents of password-protected apps you are logged into, encrypted messages, or browser history from tabs you did not have open when the screenshot was taken. It also cannot see your phone, your personal computer, or anything on your network that is not on the monitored screen itself.

The interval between screenshots matters. If screenshots happen every 30 seconds, there are 120 per hour. Over an 8-hour day, that is 960 images. An administrator reviewing them manually would take hours; most employers use software to flag activity they consider suspicious — long periods of inactivity, repeated visits to certain websites, or time spent in particular applications.

Where the screenshots go and who can see them

Screenshots are sent to a server controlled by whoever installed Aktiv Track. Usually that is your employer's IT department or a third-party monitoring service your employer hired. The images are stored there, not on your computer, so deleting them from your machine does not erase them from the server.

Access depends on how your employer set up permissions. Typically, your direct manager, HR, or IT security can view your screenshots. In some cases, only IT can access them, and managers request reports rather than watching live. In others, anyone with admin access to the monitoring system can see them.

Aktiv Track also logs metadata — when you started and stopped working, which applications you used, how long you spent in each one, and whether you were idle. This data is often more useful to employers than the screenshots themselves, because it shows patterns without requiring someone to watch hours of screen recordings.

How to know if Aktiv Track is installed on your computer

On Windows, open Task Manager (press Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and look for a process called "aktivtray" or "aktivservice." On Mac, open Activity Monitor (in Applications > Utilities) and search for "aktiv." If either is running, the software is active.

You can also check your Applications folder on Mac or Programs and Features on Windows for "Aktiv Track" or "Teramind." If your employer provided the computer, they may have installed it without telling you, and it may be configured to hide from the taskbar or system tray.

The most reliable way to know is to ask your IT department or your employment contract. Many employers are required by law to tell you if they are monitoring your screen, though the requirement varies by state and country. If you are unsure whether monitoring is legal where you work, that is a question for your HR department or a local employment lawyer, not something this guide can answer for you.

The difference between Aktiv Track and other monitoring tools

Aktiv Track is one of many employee monitoring programs. Others include ActivTrak (a different company with a similar name), Teramind's own Teramind software, Hubstaff, Time Doctor, and Toggl Track. They all do roughly the same thing — track time, take screenshots, log keystrokes, or monitor network activity — but they differ in what they record by default and how straightforward it is to pause or disable.

Some programs are designed for remote teams and are more transparent about what they do. Others are designed for security and are harder to disable. Aktiv Track leans toward the security side, which means it is harder to pause and more likely to be running in the background without obvious signs.

The real difference is not the software itself but the policy your employer has written around it. Some employers use monitoring only to track billable hours. Others use it to watch for security threats or data theft. Some monitor everyone equally; others monitor only certain departments or roles. Your employment contract or employee handbook should say what your employer is doing, but many do not spell it out clearly.

What you can do if you are being monitored

If Aktiv Track is installed on a computer your employer owns, you generally cannot remove it without permission — doing so could be grounds for termination. However, you can pause it while you are on break or lunch, if the software allows that. You can also minimize sensitive windows before taking a break, though this only works if screenshots are not happening at that exact moment.

The more practical approach is to understand what is being monitored and adjust your behavior accordingly. If you know screenshots are being taken every 30 seconds, you know that brief personal tasks (checking email, reading news) are visible. If you need privacy for personal medical information, banking, or other sensitive tasks, do those on your personal phone or personal computer, not on a work machine.

If you believe the monitoring is illegal or violates your privacy rights, you can report it to your state's labor board or consult an employment lawyer. Some states require employers to notify you before installing monitoring software; others do not. Some states allow monitoring of work computers but not personal devices. The rules vary widely, and what is legal in one state may not be in another.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Aktiv Track see what I type?

Aktiv Track takes screenshots, so it can see what appears on your screen after you type it. However, the software itself does not log individual keystrokes unless a separate keystroke logger is also installed. If you type a password and the password field shows asterisks or dots, Aktiv Track cannot see the actual password — only the masked field.

Does Aktiv Track work when my computer is locked?

No. Aktiv Track cannot take screenshots of a locked screen, and it cannot see what you are doing on another device. If you lock your computer and walk away, monitoring stops until you unlock it again.

Can I tell if a screenshot was just taken?

Not reliably. Aktiv Track does not show a notification or flash when it captures a screenshot. Some monitoring software does, but Aktiv Track is designed to be invisible. You can check Task Manager or Activity Monitor to see if the process is running, but you cannot see the exact moment a screenshot happens.

What if I use a VPN or private browser on a work computer?

Aktiv Track still sees your screen. A VPN encrypts your traffic so your employer cannot see which websites you visit at the network level, but Aktiv Track captures what is displayed on your monitor, so your employer can still see the website you are on. A private browser window works the same way — the window itself is visible in the screenshot.

Can my employer see my personal phone if it is connected to the work network?

Aktiv Track only monitors the computer it is installed on. It cannot see your phone, even if your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network. However, your employer's network administrator might be able to see that your phone is connected and what type of device it is, depending on the network setup.