What Is A Keylogger?
By Lewis Waller

In this article we will be discussing software keyloggers (as a posed to hardware keyloggers). Software keyloggers are small programs that can be installed on a target computer to monitor and record everything that happens on the computer. The software works in stealth, usually at the Kernel level of the computer to make sure it is not detected by the computer user.

The keylogger software will then either save the data to be displayed at a later date or send the data over the internet to be viewed remotely. Keyloggers have many uses in the modern world, sometimes good, sometimes bad. Uses for a keylogger could include; Monitoring your childs computer, monitoring employees computers or monitoring a spouses computer if suspected of cheating. A few darker uses of keyloggers could include; capturing credit card information, recording sensitive information or collecting a users passwords.

Keylogger Software can be very stealthy and a programmed to work in many ways. A well programmed keylogger will not be viewable anywhere in windows (including the task manager and the add/remove programs menu) and will not be detectable by anti-virus or anti-spyware software. They would only be able to be opened by the person who installed the keylogger using a 'secret' key combination (eg Control, Alt + Z) and a password. Most people would not know they were being monitored if a keylogger was installed on their system.

The Keylogger software can capture and display computer data in many ways, the most basic of which is to capture every keystroke (hence the name) pressed by the user. Although this is how keyloggers were first used, these days the software is a lot more powerful, usually recording:

• All Keystrokes Pressed

• Periodic Screen Shots (or even video)

• Every Program/Window/Folder Opened

• Every Website Visited

• Time & Date Stamps

• Passwords Entered

• Searches Performed

• Instant Messenger Chat Conversations

• FTP Downloads

• Bandwidth Used

• Sound Via Microphone

• Video Via Webcam

All this combined makes a keylogger a very powerful (and sometimes disturbing if used in the wrong hands) piece of software. There is a lot of controversy surrounding them and a lot of debate about keylogging laws. Usually the law requires you to own the computer you are keylogging but if you do plan on using one, make sure you check the laws in your area. In my personal opinion – keyloggers can be helpful on occasions, if used responsibly.

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