Home Key Logger - Track Computer Activity

What goes through your mind when you think about a home key logger? Do you think about a rogue program that is installed on your computer and steals your passwords and credit card numbers? This is one explanation of home key logger software, and one that many people consider to be the only explanation, but for those of us that want to monitor computer use and make sure that our family is both safe from dangers on the Internet and to make sure that there isn't any strange behavior going on that we should be aware of, a home key logger is a program that actually becomes our best friend.

It used to be, a few years ago, that a home key logger was just that. It was a program that sat on your computer and logged any keystrokes that happened to be typed on your keyboard. Since that time the home key logger has evolved into such a sophisticated program that it does much more than just basically logging keystrokes.

The new spy software not only runs in the background on your computer (totally undetectable) but it keeps track of much more than keystrokes. It records internet history, individual chat sessions and emails, and can even give you passwords so you can make sure that your children are not getting into trouble while they are online. The best part of this software is that it can email the logs to you so you can monitor your computer activity even while you are away from home.

Protect your child from the dangers of the Internet by recording all of their activity online, both secretly and privately. Visit us for more information at http://www.spy-safe.info/

Know what they are doing online with this Internet Spy Software Download

Understanding The Basics Of A Data Logger

When the meteorologist reads the local forecast, it is because of his/her accurate assessment of the data logging factors. In addition, water levels, depths and flow can be measured this way. If you have ever read the newspaper and see a listing for how many people traveled on a certain highway over the weekend, perhaps you wonder how that assessment was made. Did someone stand outside and count each individual car or truck that passed by? Well, no, but a computer did. Road traffic counting is another example of data logging.

A data logger is defined as an electronic computerized device that records data over a predetermined amount of time. Depending on the job, some data loggers are small while larger machines are used for more extensive research. These units acquire data according to the programming and store it into memory or a storage unit. This memory can be set to accommodate days, weeks or even months without ever having human intervention. Modern data loggers use a battery to promote storage in the units memory Older models use paper or disks, but technology has all but rendered these earlier models extinct.

Data loggers are so accurate that, in addition to recording detailed information, they often provide a time and date indicator to ensure that all of the recorded data can be broken down and associated with a specific date and time for informational research purposes. This is possible because of their built in clocks, which easily provide an accurate reading.

From the simplest of device to a complex unit, data loggers offer a wide range of flexibility for nearly any data retrieval job. The more simple devices are, as expected, easier to program. The more complex the unit, the more work that is involved. Some of the most modern data loggers offer website capabilities, which allow individuals to surf onto a website and monitor the tracking system. This works well for users who enjoy real time information, including weather data, web cams, etc.

During harsh weather conditions, troublesome water levels or other concerns, a data logger can be linked to devices, including modems, cell phones or satellites. This capability can keep individuals updated on the status of weather conditions, but also alert them if immediate attention is required. If you ever notice a weather warning interrupt a radio station or television broadcast, that information is coming from a data logger that is responsible for monitoring weather conditions. The information is then relayed to the meteorologist, who gets the information out to the public.

As individuals, it is difficult to realize the complex nature of data loggers and their responsibilities. But, without them, we would certainly become aware of their absence. Without a way to measure such important data factors, without an efficient way to report them and research certain data, we would be forever uninformed.

Peter Bishop manages the Info portal at http://www.dataloggerpluscom and writes about data entry, data recovery and data loggers.

Custom-Made Keyloggers As an Instrument of Cybercrime - Too Easy to Make and Use

In only a couple of years we computer users have learned a lot about online threats. There is no need to explain what "spyware" means -- we all know it. Or do we?

If software collects information without users' knowledge and transmits it, such a program is usually automatically labeled "spyware" no matter how valuable this information is. It can be either relatively innocuous code for gathering users' browsing habits -- or extremely dangerous software created specially for unsolicited monitoring and committing cybercrime like identity theft, or espionage.

In the classification from SpyAudit they the latter are called System Monitors. Here belong such programs as keyloggers and more advanced keylogger-based programs, which can intercept not only keystrokes, but also capture text from application windows and clipboard contents, make screenshots – in other words, everything you do. This is particular kind of software specially created for stealing valuable information.

"There has been a recent wave of system monitoring tools disguised as email attachments or free software products.", experts warn. (see http://www.earthlink.net/spyaudit/press/) Keyloggers can be hidden in viruses or even slip into a PC while a user visits some website.

We users have become smarter and try to protect our data. Loads of programs are created to counteract spy software. Why data stealing is flourishing then? Unfortunately, the "means of defense" are, as it often happens, half a step behind "means of offense".

Generally speaking, most anti-spyware works like that: it scans the operating system in search for suspicious bits of code. Should the program find any, it compares these suspicious pieces with bits of code (they are called signatures), which belong to already detected and "caught" spy programs. Signatures are kept in so-called signature base -- the inseparable part of any anti-spy program. The more signatures it contains, the more spyware such program will detect, so your PC will be protected more effectively. As long as you update your anti-spy software regularly and the system doesn't come across some unknown spyware product, everything is going to be all right.

The problem is that some keyloggers are written to be used only once. These "tailor-made", or should we say, "custom-made", keyloggers are extremely dangerous, because they will never be detected with existing anti-spy software which uses signature bases.

Keylogging software is relatively simple and not too difficult to compile. Even an average computer programmer can write a simple keylogger in a couple of days. More sophisticated one will take longer to make, of course, but not too long. Hackers often compile source code of several keyloggers (it's easy to find them in the Web--for those who know where to look for) -- and get a brand-new one with an unknown signature even faster. If a keylogger can be installed remotely without the victim's knowledge, it gives the hacker great possibility to steal any information he pleases.

However, now most anti-virus and anti-spyware vendors proclaim that along with signature bases they apply heuristic algorithms for detecting spyware. It means that their products now can catch more "spies" than their signature bases contain. To verify it experts from Information Security Center Ltd recently carried out a simple test.

The testing simulated a situation when a thief applies a custom-made keylogger compiled from source code freely available (!) from the Internet. The testers did what a thief with a bit of programming skills can easily do: they took source code from the Internet and compiled 9 keyloggers. Then these "test spies" were used for checking whether world-known anti-spyware will detect anything. The results turned out to be shocking: 28 out of 44 anti-virus and anti-spy software products couldn't do anything -- they detected none. 10 products managed only 1 spy out of 9; 5 programs caught only 2 out of 9. The only product that blocked all the 9 spies was a dedicated anti-keylogging solution based solely on heuristic algorithms with no signature base.

To read more about this testing visit http://bezpeka.com/en/lib/antispy/art2869.html

Not to use signature base analysis at all is a relatively new trend in software development. This approach is rather promising; it means that such a dedicated anti-keylogging product --it already exists--can counteract even custom-made spies.

Alexandra Gamanenko currently works at Raytown Corporation, LLC -- an independent software developing company that provides various solutions for information security. The company's R&D department created an innovative technology, which disables the very processes of information capturing -- keylogging, screenshoting, etc.

Learn more -- visit the company's website http://www.anti-keyloggers.com

Do Not Forget Keyloggers When Seeking The Best Spyware Removers

Quite often when folks are looking for the best spyware remover to install in their computer for privacy ad protection, they always seem to forget to address keyloggers.

While it is a fact that most spyware removers will tend to deal with all forms of spyware adware and keyloggers as well, this is hardly something that one would be advised to assume.

Keyloggers are really the killer punch in spyware and it is what scum peddlers use to deal the killer blow. Keyloggers, as the name suggests will usually carefully note, record and transmit the keyword strokes on your computer. Wshat this does is give professional cyber thives full access to your sensitive password protected accounts. Using this information, hey can then steal much more than your identity. They can in fact gain full access to your accounts and easily steal vast sums of money.

So it makes plenty of sense when looking for the best spyware removers for one to focus on spyware adware and keyloggers as well. But it does not stop there. Other common spyware infections like remote access Trojans (RATs) and browser hijackers. All these greatly contribute towards exposing your confidential information to the world and also greatly diminish and affect the performance of your PC

It is very important for you to realize that new spyware programs are being invented all the time, even as you read this. This is precisely why having a spyware remover with automatic updates is vital. You really do not want your software "guard" to catch up with some new strain when it is a little late and your security and privacy has already been compromised.

Find out much more on spyware dangers you must avoid.

 

How To Stop Keyloggers Stealing Your Identity

Would you know a key logger if you saw one? Well since you can't see key loggers I'm sure you don't! OK let me tell you about key loggers. Key loggers are invisible software programs that are used to track your online activity. Most importantly, they are being used more and more to steal your vital financial information either to sell to criminals or to be used in the theft of your identity.

Finding a keylogger on your computer is next to impossible unless you have professional help in the form of an updated spyware removal software system. The real; problem is that if you don't know that a keylogger is tracking everything you do then you won't know when the little darlin' has stolen your bank account passwords or your credit card numbers until a theft of your assets has been attempted. And the discovery may only be made by you after your assets have been raided and depleted.

When a keylogger is busily at work, you won't even see your machine slow down or see anything peculiar happening. But visualize that the potential thief is standing right behind you watching and recording everything that you do on the machine.

I'm not sure where this statistic comes form but it is said that more than one third of all online ID thefts can now be traced to keylogging. Unfortunately, keyloggers are easily found and acquired. They are cheap and available. Worse yet they are perfectly legal in and of themselves.

There are perfectly legitimate reasons for employers to use key logger software to monitor employees use of the computer at work and for parents to monitor their children's web browsing habits. But the corollary is that it is an easy way for a criminal to gain access to your valuable assets and plunder them. And the software itself is perfectly legal.

In view of the foregoing take steps immediately to protect yourself:

* Install a respected anti spyware software that not only scans your computer but prevents unauthorized access

* Install a firewall

* Do not click on pop-ups

* Do not open spam email - when in doubt delete!

* Do not open e-mail attachments unless you can be sure it is coming from a legitimate source for a legitimate purpose

* Make your passwords hard to crack and change them frequently

The keylogger situation is getting worse, not better. Don't wait until your identity has been stolen. Get the protection you need now and stay alert. You have been warned!

John Garvey specializes in the world of computer and internet security. His analyses and recommendations on spyware and other threats to internet security are widely known in the field and appear frequently at the website http://www.spyware-gone.com