How to Know if a Keylogger Is Installed
Do you think someone is monitoring your keystrokes?
Is someone managing to get the log of the keystrokes you type remotely?
If you're concerned, you need a reliable keylogger detector to catch that.
What is Keylogger?
Keylogger is a type of software or hardware used to capture every keystroke input from a user's keyboard. It then creates a log file (most likely encrypted) and sends it to the master. And by master, I am referring to the person who planted it on a victim's computer.
If there is a hardware keylogger, generally attached to a USB port, it is visible and easy to detect. However, keylogger software is usually difficult to locate, as it is often hidden and operates completely in the background.
How to detect if Keylogger is installed ?
1. Go Through Running Processes
Even if the software program runs in the background, there must be a process running on the Windows system. You can open task manager and take a look at what processes are running.
If you are a tech-savvy person, it should be easy for you to notice any suspicious processes on the list.
However, for everyone else, the chances are slim that you'll find it.
The reason is that keylogger developers won't name the program process as "keylogger."
That wouldn't just be obvious, but also pretty dumb, in my opinion.
They will generally name it something to appear legit like "system_doc" or "win-process."
2. Monitor Network Connections Using Firewall
As the keylogger records keystrokes, it collects them and sends logs to a remote location.
This implies that an internet connection is used to transmit this file.
You can use applications like Windows Firewall Control to look up programs using a network connection. They can also be used to set rules to disallow unknown or unauthorized programs to connect to the internet.
By doing this, you may be able to stop any keylogger from transmitting data to a hacker. However, this method doesn't guarantee that you have blocked the correct process. Also, if there are multiple ways of file transmission using different processes, you are out of luck.
3. Use Keylogger Detector
Instead of making attempts manually that may not end up with assured results, it is recommended to use a reliable keylogger detection tool.
We will be using MalwareFox, which is actually an Anti-malware solution but has an Anti-keylogger module built in.
MalwareFox Keylogger Detector
1. Download MalwareFox and install it.
2. Let it update to the latest signature database. It should do that automatically, but in case it doesn't, please do it manually by clicking on the "gear" icon to enter the setting, followed by clicking on "Check for Updates" option.
3. Come back to Home screen of the application and run a full scan.
MalwareFox will start scanning all the files on your computer. This process will take a while.
Upon finishing the scan, the results of all the detected infections will be displayed in the form of a list.
For all the malware detected, this program will automatically choose a suitable action –whether it's quarantine, remove or repair.
4. You have an option to change the action, however, it is recommended to click the "Next" button and let the program decide.
MalwareFox will now remove all the files and registry keys related to keylogger and other malware (if detected). While removing, it may ask you to reboot the computer system, as some files cannot be deleted in normal mode. On the next boot up, it will delete those files before executing anything else.
5. Upon restart, MalwareFox will display the list of malware infections, including keylogger.
You have successfully detected and removed the Keylogger from Computer.
If this procedure doesn't work, restart the computer in Safe Mode with networking and re-scan completely.
Note: Keyloggers are not always Spyware
In the above case, we considered keylogger to be a malicious program used to spy and misuse a user's data. However, this is not always true.
Parents may install keylogger on a computer to monitor their child's activity. Employers can use it to monitor their employees. So, there are some legal and legit uses, too.
Keyloggers are not restricted to recording keystroke input only. They are also capable of taking snapshots of a screen to capture the computer's exact running environment.
There are keyloggers that can even take control of webcams and take a user's picture while they are working on their computer.
Although keylogger programs are promoted as a monitoring tool for parents and employees, they are mostly abused. There are often cases of a jealous boyfriend spying on his girlfriend or people using them to catch cheating spouses.
No matter what the case may be, you should ensure complete protection against keyloggers before it's too late.
How to Know if a Keylogger Is Installed
Source: https://www.malwarefox.com/detect-keyloggers/