Spyware Guide

A keylogger or keystroke logger is a type of spyware. Keyloggers track which keys were struck on a keyboard. Usually this is covert, and the computer user had no idea that their activity is being monitored. There are many methods of keylogging, but most are software-based.

Keylogger software is occasionally purposefully installed. A primary user or system administrator may knowingly install a keylogger on a system to monitor the activity of users on a home or public computer. Sometimes this is to keep an eye on the online activities of a spouse, child or employee. Occasionally though, these commercially available keyloggers could be used on a public or shared computer to gather personal information.

Is keylogger software spyware?

Yes and no.  If you don’t know that the keylogger is present and recording the things you type, then it is spying on you, which would make it spyware. Normally, however, spyware is downloaded without the user’s knowledge, so it seems in that sense keyloggers are not spyware at least in the traditional sense. Keylogger software has the potential to be quite malicious software, however.

Are there any keylogger detectors?

If you want to see if there is a keylogger installed on your computer system, you can use software to detect and remove keyloggers. If you have an existing antivirus or antimalware program installed on your computer, you should be sure to use that to scan your system first. Many of these products may be effective keylogger detectors.

You should also install and run a dedicated anti-keylogger program. This software will be the most effective keylogger detector. These will find and destroy even very advanced keyloggers. The best keylogger removal solutions would be one of these products.

What if I want a keylogger on my system?

There are many people that want a keylogger on their computer system. There is not one best keylogger, but there are some that are better than other, depending on what your specific needs are. Selecting the best keylogger software for you will most likely be based in part on cost.

You will also have to make sure that the keylogger you select is indeed a legitimate keystroke logger program and not a piece of malware. There have been reports of a trojan posing as a commercially available keylogger.

Can the keylogger data be viewed elsewhere?

Remote keyloggers are available.  Remote access keyloggers allow access to the locally recorded data via a remote location. This can be achieved in a number of ways. The keylogger can upload data to a website or database, send it to an email address, transmit it via a hardware device or by remote access by the internet or within the local network.

Remote keyloggers are extra discrete. These can be ideal in several situations. If someone is monitoring a public computer or other device they normally don’t have access to, a remote keylogger would be particularly helpful. These would also be great for employers wishing to keep track of what their employees do with their computers when on the job.

Conclusion

Keyloggers are available for anyone who wants one, either locally or with a remote keylogger. While keyloggers do have positive, useful applications, they can also be used for nefarious purposes, like malware, to uncover personal information. If you want a keylogger, be sure that you get one that is legitimate, and if you think you have a keylogger installed on your system, you have plenty of removal solutions.