Anti keylogger
Encyclopedia
An anti keylogger is a type of software specifically designed for the detection of keystroke logger software; often, such software will also incorporate the ability to delete or at least immobilize hidden keystroke logger software on your computer. In comparison to most anti-virus or anti-spyware software, the primary difference is that an anti keylogger does not make a distinction between a legitimate keystroke logging program and an illegitimate keystroke logging program (such as a virus); all keystroke logging programs are flagged and optionally removed, whether they appear to be a legitimate keystroke logging software or not.
software on your computer. It is generally advised that anti keylogging scans are run on a regular basis in order to reduce the amount of time during which a keylogger may record your keystrokes; for example, if you scan your system once every three days, there is only a maximum three day period during which a keylogger could be hidden on your computer and recording your keystrokes.
s are extremely susceptible to the installation of keystroke logging
software and hardware, and this problem has been particularly prevalent in public libraries. Public computers are particularly susceptible to keyloggers because any number of people can gain access to the machine and in doing so install both a hardware keylogger
and a software keylogger can be secretly installed in a matter of minutes. Anti keyloggers are often used on a daily basis to ensure that public computers are not infected with keyloggers, and are safe for public use.
, which has been the target of numerous keylogging viruses. Anti keyloggers are used by many World of Warcraft and other gaming community members in order to keep their gaming accounts secure.
s have become the target of keyloggers, particularly those institutions which do not use advanced security features such as PIN
pads or screen keyboards. Anti keyloggers are used to run regular scans of any computer on which banking or client information is accessed, protecting passwords, banking information, and credit card numbers from identity thieves.
This type of software is a rather widespread one, but it has its own drawbacks. The biggest drawback of signature-based anti-keyloggers is that, while using them you can only be sure that you are protected only from keyloggers from your signature-base list, thus staying absolutely vulnerable to other keyloggers. Thus a criminal can download one of many famous keyloggers, change it and your anti-keylogger won't recognize it.
Use of anti keyloggers
Anti keyloggers are used both by large organizations as well as individuals in order to scan for and remove (or in some cases simply immobilize) keystroke loggingKeystroke logging
Keystroke logging is the action of tracking the keys struck on a keyboard, typically in a covert manner so that the person using the keyboard is unaware that their actions are being monitored...
software on your computer. It is generally advised that anti keylogging scans are run on a regular basis in order to reduce the amount of time during which a keylogger may record your keystrokes; for example, if you scan your system once every three days, there is only a maximum three day period during which a keylogger could be hidden on your computer and recording your keystrokes.
Public computers
Public computerPublic computer
A public computer is any of various computers available in public areas. Some places where public computers may be available are libraries, schools, or facilities run by government....
s are extremely susceptible to the installation of keystroke logging
Keystroke logging
Keystroke logging is the action of tracking the keys struck on a keyboard, typically in a covert manner so that the person using the keyboard is unaware that their actions are being monitored...
software and hardware, and this problem has been particularly prevalent in public libraries. Public computers are particularly susceptible to keyloggers because any number of people can gain access to the machine and in doing so install both a hardware keylogger
Hardware keylogger
Hardware keyloggers are used for keystroke logging, a method of capturing and recording computer users' keystrokes, including sensitive passwords. They can be implemented via BIOS-level firmware, or alternatively, via a device plugged inline between a computer keyboard and a computer...
and a software keylogger can be secretly installed in a matter of minutes. Anti keyloggers are often used on a daily basis to ensure that public computers are not infected with keyloggers, and are safe for public use.
Gaming usage
Keyloggers have been prevalent in the online gaming industry, being used to log steal which are then used to hack a user's gaming account online; of particular importance has been World of WarcraftWorld of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the fourth released game set in the fantasy Warcraft universe, which was first introduced by Warcraft: Orcs & Humans in 1994...
, which has been the target of numerous keylogging viruses. Anti keyloggers are used by many World of Warcraft and other gaming community members in order to keep their gaming accounts secure.
Financial institutions
Financial institutionFinancial institution
In financial economics, a financial institution is an institution that provides financial services for its clients or members. Probably the most important financial service provided by financial institutions is acting as financial intermediaries...
s have become the target of keyloggers, particularly those institutions which do not use advanced security features such as PIN
Personal identification number
A personal identification number is a secret numeric password shared between a user and a system that can be used to authenticate the user to the system. Typically, the user is required to provide a non-confidential user identifier or token and a confidential PIN to gain access to the system...
pads or screen keyboards. Anti keyloggers are used to run regular scans of any computer on which banking or client information is accessed, protecting passwords, banking information, and credit card numbers from identity thieves.
Personal use
The most common use of an anti keylogger is by individuals wishing to protect their privacy while using their computer; uses range from protecting financial information used in online banking, any passwords, personal communication, and virtually any other information which may be typed into your computer. Keyloggers are often installed by people you know, and many times have been installed by an ex-partners hoping to spy on their ex-partner's activities (particularly chat).Signature-based
This type of software has a signature base, which has the list of all the known keyloggers, each time you run 'System Scan' this software looks for the items from its list on your hard disk drive.This type of software is a rather widespread one, but it has its own drawbacks. The biggest drawback of signature-based anti-keyloggers is that, while using them you can only be sure that you are protected only from keyloggers from your signature-base list, thus staying absolutely vulnerable to other keyloggers. Thus a criminal can download one of many famous keyloggers, change it and your anti-keylogger won't recognize it.
Heuristic analysis
This software doesn't use signature bases, it analyzes the methods of work of all the modules in your PC, thus blocking the work of all the keyloggers. As this method gives better keylogging-protection than signature-based keyloggers it has its own drawbacks. One of them is that this type of software blocks non-keyloggers also. The thing is that many of 'non-harmful' software has the modules include, which principles of work are similar to keyloggers. They do not send received information and are absolutely safe for the user. Usually all the non-signature based keyloggers have the option to unblock all the modules, but it can cause difficulties among inexperienced users.External links
- http://freeware.wikia.com/wiki/Lists_of_freeware_antikeyloggers