Electronic Eavesdropping: Ways to Protect Against Keylogging

A keystroke logger, also known as a keylogger, is a software program that records every keystroke that is typed into your keyboard. This information is stored to an encrypted log file for future retrieval. Once a keylogger software application is installed on a computer, you can literally watch and keep track of everything that happens on the computer.

The keylogger applications were originally designed for positive purposes, such as determining errors in computer databases, detecting online sexual predators by law enforcement, monitoring children's online activity by parents or retrieving lost data and information

Since their advent, however, cyber criminals have hijacked keylogger applications for nefarious purposes. For these cyber thieves, keylogging is a dream come true. It is an invisible, convenient tool that they can use to access and retrieve passwords, bank information, credit card numbers, PINs and so much more. In fact, electronic theft of information has become the primary means by which many of the bad guys get to shop on your dime, with little chance of getting caught.

Today, identity theft is the number one crime in the nation. The law and law enforcement are playing catch-up with the overwhelming tide in phishing, identity theft and other cyber-crime. This leaves it to you and me to protect ourselves or pay a very high price.

You may never know if or when your keystrokes are being monitored by keylogging software. As a necessary precaution, you may need to adopt new security measures to minimize the risks of keystroke logging. Here are the top five:

Anti-virus software
Keyloggers most often invade your computer system in the form of Trojan horses, viruses, or spyware. One of the most effective ways to keep them out is to install anti-virus and anti-spyware software.

The best anti-virus programs on the market are Norton and McAfee. However, if you are on a tight budget, the most economical anti-virus would be AVG Free Edition. AVG is free anti-virus that provides many of the services and security tools provided on popular retail anti-virus software. Ad-Aware is one of the best free anti-spyware programs available.

Firewalls
Another way to avoid keyloggers would be to enable firewalls. Firewalls prevent outside sources from accessing your computer. Firewalls are highly recommended, particularly for DSL and cable users. This is because when your internet is constantly connected to the internet, it leaves your computer more vulnerable to internet hackers using keyloggers. The Windows XP operating system already has built in firewall software, but you can also download ZoneAlarm, a free firewall software.

Automated Form-fillers
If you frequently enter sensitive information like financial information, it's highly recommended that you use an automated form-filler. Automated form-fillers save certain types of information so that you don't have to retype it every time you need it. You may need to use automated form-fillers if you frequently enter credit or debit card numbers.

Onscreen keyboards
Another way to minimize the risk of keyloggers would be to use onscreen keyboards. These are keyboards that are used with the mouse instead of the keyboard. There is no way for keylogging software to record keystrokes made using the mouse, so it is recommended for inputting financial information or any other type of sensitive data.

Vigilance
It is important to keep track of the programs running on your computer. Keyloggers usually conceal themselves and run in the background. The fastest way to do this is via the Task Manager (Ctrl + Alt + Delete).

Today, there are literally hundreds of Keyloggger applications freely available online. While they have their benedficial uses, it is important to always remember that they can e used to spy on you just as easily.