How To Detect and Remove a Keylogger?

You always hear about the latest high-tech security products, but the fact is that sometimes the simplest things can also help you stay safe. One such item is a simple keylogger detector. With this easy-to-use tool, you can quickly and easily detect if a keylogger has infected your computer.

Keylogger:

A keylogger is an application that can record your keystrokes, similar to the way that Windows records your typing. However, unlike Windows, which records the text you type and never stores it, a keylogger can be used to steal passwords and credit card information. A typical way of installing a keylogger involves changing your DNS server settings. This is done by modifying the “WINS” tables on your PC. Once you have changed these settings, all internet traffic will clear through the hacker’s computer before being sent on to its destination. When this happens, the hacker’s computer will log all of your keystrokes and store them for later collection and retrieval. Another way that a keylogger can infect your computer is by installing a Trojan. The virus will be able to upload itself to your PC once you visit a website that has been hacked. Without your knowledge, the virus will then change your DNS settings, allowing the hacker to transfer the keylogger onto your machine.

Keylogger Working:

Because keyloggers are installed through malicious code, it is important to secure your computer as best you can. This can be done by using an active security program such as McAfee Virus Scan or Norton Antivirus on a regular basis.  If your computer has already been infected, it is best to take it to an IT specialist immediately. They will be able to remove the keylogger and restore the DNS settings so that your computer is once again safe for use.

Functionalities of Keylogger:

• A keylogger is a piece of software that logs all the keystrokes made by a user on their computer. 
• Keyloggers can be installed by Trojans, bots, worms, and other nefarious means. They are often used to gain access to passwords/user IDs and other secrets stored on the computer.
• Keyloggers often have features that make them difficult to detect as well as means for hiding or removing them from the system. 
• Keyloggers can be placed in a USB drive or in a RAM Disk on your system. 
• When using a RAM disk, the data is not stored permanently on the hard drive. 
• This makes the data nearly impossible to retrieve and can be used as an effective tamper evidence technique that cannot be recovered easily from your computer if you have ever had to reinstall it or have had it repaired.
• Keyloggers are often used for illegal purposes such as stealing sensitive information, obtaining passwords and user IDs for network access, and even intercepting audio and video communications.

Keylogger Detection Steps:

The steps below are intended for Windows XP computers. However, these steps can easily be adapted for Windows Vista or other versions of Windows. 

• Step 1 : Begin by downloading and installing Spy Sheriff onto your flash drive or external hard drive. This program will scan your computer for the presence of a keylogger.
• Step 2: Once the program is installed, insert the drive into the infected computer.
• Step 3: Restart your computer and log on as an administrator.
• Step 4: Open up “My Computer” and copy Spy Sheriff onto your main hard drive. Help >> Check for updates to be sure you are running the latest version of this free product.
• Step 5: Open Spy Sheriff by double-clicking on its icon. Once the program is open, you need to click on “Sample Keystrokes” and follow the directions on screen.
• Step 6: When you receive a message telling you that sample keystrokes have been received, click “Save” and close Spy Sheriff.
• Step 7: Insert your flash drive and copy the file ‘SpyHunter.exe’ onto it and then restart your computer again.
• Step 8: Log onto Windows as an administrator and double-click ‘SpyHunter.exe’. A dialog box will be displayed asking you to choose a startup folder for Spy Sheriff. Click ‘Next’ to move to the next step.
• Step 9: A second dialog box will be displayed asking you to send a report to Spy Sheriff’s support team. This is an optional step, but it could help with the removal of the keylogger once your computer has been scanned. Click ‘Next’ if you want to send your information or click ‘Cancel’ otherwise.
• Step 10: Click ‘Install’ and wait for your computer to reboot. Once it does, you have finished installing Spy Sheriff on your computer and can remove the flash drive from your PC and any other computers that you scan.
• Step 11: Once the computer boots up again, you will need to open up a ‘Command Prompt’ by searching for it in the start menu. If the infected computer is up and running, you should see a new drive letter in My Computer called ‘SDRIVE’.
• Step 12: In the command prompt, type ‘SDRIVE’ and hit enter.
• Step 13: A black window will pop up asking for your login information. You will need to input your username as well as your password to continue. If you are logged in already then hit enter.
• Step 14: Once you have successfully logged into SDRIVE, another black window with a different prompt should appear.