How can a keylogger affect your computer?

Answer 1

Software keyloggers are fairly easy to spot as around 80% of them do not use any form of stealth. Best place to look is in all the usual startup locations. In Windows, winlogon is a favourite hiding place. To get rid of them, boot in safe mode.

Of the remaining 20%, rootkits are the predominant stealth technique, either in user mode or kernel mode. Most of these can be considered malicious keyloggers. The only way to detect these is with rootkit analysis software. If you can determine the actual source of the keylogger, removal may be possible, but the only sure-fire way to get rid of a rootkit is to backup your data, wipe the drive and start again. Run a virus checker on your data (preferably on an external system) before restoring it, though.

Of course had you been running a real-time anti-virus, you would have a high likelihood of preventing a keylogger from installing in the first place since all AV products contain all known keylogger signatures. That still leave a small percentage of unknown keyloggers that might get through, however. And nothing can stop someone who has access to the machine from installing one behind the AV's back. However, a "baseline" backup is the quickest method of restoring the system, so it pays to keep one up to date while the system is known to be clean.

Hardware keyloggers can be tricky to spot if you don't know what to look for. That nice new keyboard you girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife bought you recently? It could easily have a keylogger built-in. However unlikely it may be, it's certainly not impossible. If you suspect anything, a simple "accident" with a some Orange Juice will soon render it useless. Buy your own keyboard and cover all the screws with circular labels numbered with a permanent UV marker. Also check the cable and connector for any signs of tampering. If the hardware is inside the machine then it pays to have a good working knowledge of the inner workings. However it's fair to say that internal hardware keylogging is so rare you'd have to be well worth all the expense and trouble it takes.

Answer 2

Use anti-keylogger software. I've used Zemana in the past and its been really good. Theres a list of anti-keylogger software and a few reviews here:

http://keyloggerdownloads.com/anti-keylogger-software.html

Answer 3

It will record all your computer activities including your passwords, bank accounts, credit cards and all.

if you use virtual keyboard to input info, most keyloggers can't record, such as anykeylogger...

Answer 4

You can look for unknown processes in task manager.

You can see which programs loads on startup using:

Start button->Run->type msconfig

You can look for software you did not installed in the Add/Remove softwares.

Answer 5

Keyloggers come in two major varieties: hardware and software. Hardware keyloggers include the keyboard itself (did you buy it yourself or was it a gift?), or a detection unit inside the keyboard chassis or attached to its connecting cable that can interpret your keystrokes and transmit them to a receiving unit. Wireless keyboards are a dream for keyloggers as the keylogger can be hidden absolutely anywhere within range of the keyboard and its receiver to intercept all transmissions codes. Locking your car by remote fob exposes you to the same problem. Anyone parked nearby can easily intercept the code broadcast by the fob and instantly clone your fob. Don't be lazy, lock your car with the actual key.

Software keyloggers are either covert, overt or stealthy. Overt keyloggers actively advertise themselves and are designed for legitimate purposes such as parental control. Covert keyloggers constitute the vast majority of keyloggers and while they do not advertise themselves openly, they can easily be detected by anti-virus software or by manual inspection of the common startup locations, particularly the login startups. Stealthy keyloggers are much rarer, but incredibly difficult to detect as they often employ rootkit technology. Most will be detected by anti-virus prior to installation, but there's no guarantee so don't be complacent. While they can be detected with specialised rootkit detection software, removal is rarely a simple task. Restoring the system from an image-based backup prior to infection is the best solution, but if you failed to make a baseline backup, a re-install may be the only solution. Just don't forget to make a baseline backup when you're done.

There's really no way to tell, you should just have up to date virus protection. I personally use malware bytes.

If you suspect you are being keylogged I suggest your restore your PC.

Answer 6

By using anti-keylogger software (that is if your anti-virus can't detect it). I use Zemana - its pretty good.

Theres a list and reviews of anti-keylogger software at the related link.

Answer 7

Go to your computer's "Task Manager" to find unknown apps. Just quit the suspected ones, one of them may be the keylogger. I suggest you gain some knowledge about keylogger.

Answer 8

Please install Anti malware software and scan your computer.

Answer 9

install it manually