How to Detect a Keystroke Recorder
Keystroke recorders are a common type of malware. If a keystroke recorder is present on your system, it will keep track of everything you type. Many keystroke recorders can also keep track of the names of applications you run, what you do with the mouse and the websites you visit. A keystroke recorder is a very serious security problem on any personal computer. If you want to make sure that your system is safe, you should try to detect any keystroke recorder that might be logging your typing.
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Instructions
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Check your computer for hardware keystroke recorders. Turn your computer around and look at where devices are plugged in. Trace your keyboard cable and ensure that it plugs directly into your computer. Remove any attachment that is connected between your keyboard and the computer, as it is likely a hardware keystroke recorder.
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Open the system Task Manager in Microsoft Windows. Right-click on the task bar and choose "Start Task Manager." Look through the list of running programs. Pay attention for programs you don't recognize, because they may be software keystroke recorders. See References for a list of applications that are known to be keystroke recorders. Click on any potential keystroke recorder and choose the "End Task" button.
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Run a spyware scan on your system. Download one of the many free spyware scanning programs from the Internet or purchase one from your local computer software retailer. Perform a full system scan and remove any threats that the software finds.
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Reboot your computer after running a spyware scan. Open the "Task Manager" and ensure that the keystroke recorder is no longer in the list of running programs. Continue to scan your computer on a regular basis to make sure that no new keystroke recorders are present.
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Tips & Warnings
If you find a keystroke recorder on your computer, it is best to immediately change all of your passwords in case they were compromised by the malicious program.
References
Resources
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