An anti keylogger (or anti keystroke logger) is a type of software specifically designed for the detection of keystroke logger
software; often, such softwares 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.

[edit] 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 logging
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.

[edit] Public computers

Public computers are extremely susceptible to the installation of keystroke logging software and hardware, and this problem has been particularly prevalent in public libraries.^[1]
Public computers are particularly susceptible to keyloggers due to the
fact that 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.^[2]
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.

[edit] 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 Warcraft,
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.^[3]

[edit] Financial institutions

Financial institutions have become the target of keyloggers, particularly those institutions which do not use advanced security features such as as PIN pads or screen keyboards.^[4]
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.

[edit] 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).^[5]

[edit] Types

[edit] 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 famous keyloggers,
change it and your anti-keylogger won’t recognize it.

[edit] 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.

[edit] See also

• Keystroke logger
• Hardware keylogger
• Spyreveal

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• http://freeware.wikia.com/wiki/Lists_of_freeware_antikeyloggers