Keylogger: Every Stroke You Take I'll Be Watching You

A former neighbor of mine was victimized by a computer spy program known as a keylogger - short for keystroke logging.

Not only was her financial data at risk but the keylogger program put every private e-mail she sent to and received from her boyfriend into her perpetrator's hand - along with dates, names and places.

In the offline world, a personal itinerary can be misused as much as financial information, be it a stalker or a thief.

What I remember most about the situation was how hopeless she came across; her red face was a combination of both anger and shame.

She was unwilling to learn how to better protect herself largely because she felt "computer illiterate," her words, not mine.

Ultimately, I fixed her computer, no problem, but I don't know about her marriage. The keylogger software was installed by her husband. Incidentally, he tapped the phone too. Ouch.

Keylogger and Computer Spy Software Basics

Though a physical recording device is sometime used, software-based computer spy programs, such as keyloggers, are more common.

Often keyloggers are inconspicuously installed on a PC via an e-mail attachment or a file download, or directly installed by someone with access to the computer.

The keylogger software is generally small in size, and the keylogger program can be renamed to look like a legitimate file. Some keylogger programs can pass through anti-virus and anti-spyware detection. Frequently, Internet security software has been compromised to accept the program.

Recorded information, such as keystrokes and even screen shots, is stored in a file which may be e-mailed to an anonymous address or opened by a secret key combination.

Fortunately, the log of events, or log file can be located with the help of software if needed.

Signs of Computer Spy Software

The better keylogger programs are difficult to detect but many affect computer performance. Any or all of the following changes may be noticed:

Slower Browsing: One of the hallmark signs of a keylogger, especially one that combines screen shots, will result in slower web browsing.

Slower PC Start-Up: Though this is common to Window's users, if the start up time suddenly worsens and no new software has been installed, a keylogger may be to blame.

Mouse or Typematic Changes: Changes in how fast or accurately the keyboard or mouse responds may indicate a keylogger is active.

Display Errors: Odd and erratic graphic displays, such as white screens or blank areas, may occur. This is frequently a memory issue but keyloggers can be responsible.

Regardless of the errors, if you suspect a spyware or a keylogger problem, it is time to investigate. Though note that many of the aforementioned problems are caused by other less malicious means.

How to Find and Destroy Keyloggers

Third-Party Keylogger Scan: Despite Internet security protection, a keylogger may go unnoticed because someone changed the security software to "accept" the rogue software.

If you strongly suspect a keylogger multiple anti-malware scans can help.

Obtain an impartial online anti-virus/anti-malware scan for free at any of the following web sites:

housecall.trendmicro.com

bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

pandasoftware.com

Optionally, download any of the following programs in addition to an online scan for additional keylogger protection.

pctools.com (free scan only, thorough scan)

kaspersky.com (free trial, thorough scan)

counterspy.com (free trial)

Note: Avoid running multiple anti-spyware programs simultaneously as this can decrease their efficiency.

Detect Running Programs: Download and run the free program HijackThis. It is more accurate than CTRL-ALT-DELETE or the Task Manager for identifying invisible programs such as keyloggers.

Follow the directions here, look for any unknown programs and Google any filenames that look suspicious.

File Change Detection: As most keyloggers save the collected data, at least temporarily, on the victims PC, a program that detects file changes is useful.KD-Detector is free and exceptionally easy to use: dewasoft.com/privacy/kldetector.htm

Conclusion

While there is an ethical debate over the use of keyloggers to spy on the online activities of children, spouses or even co-workers, oftentimes computer spy programs are installed by strangers.

Arguably, child safety, investigating illegal activity, and assessing if a loved one is cheating may seem like righteous reasons for keyloggers and monitoring online activity. If you are the one being spied on, however, you might feel that a keylogger is quite un-righteous indeed.

Even the "computer illiterate" can fight back against keyloggers with these steps.