What Is a Keylogger and Key Logging Software?

A keylogger is a hardware device or a software program that records the real time activity of a computer user including the keyboard keys they press.

Use Cases for a Keylogger

Keyloggers are used in Information Technology (IT) organizations to troubleshoot technical problems with computers and business networks. Keyloggers can also be used by a family (or business) to monitor the network usage of people without their direct knowledge; they are sometimes used as part of home parental controls.

Finally, malicious individuals may use keyloggers on public computers to steal passwords or credit card information.

What Information a Keylogger Can Collect

The capabilities of keyloggers vary, but when installed on a device they can generally do the following:

• capture any passwords entered by users on the device
• take screen captures of the device at periodic intervals
• record the URLs that were visited via Web browsers, and possibly also take screen captures of the Web pages viewed
• record a list of the applications run by users on the device
• capture logs of all instant messaging (IM) sessions
• capture copies of sent emails
• automatically send the reports containing stored logs and emails to a remote location (by email, FTP or HTTP).

Most keyloggers allow not only keyboard keystrokes to be captured but also are often capable of collecting screen captures from the computer. Normal key logging programs store their data on the local hard drive, but some are programmed to automatically transmit data over the network to a remote computer or Web server.

Where Keyloggers Come From and How to Determine if Your Device Has One

Some keylogger software is freely available on the Internet, while others are commercial or private applications. Keyloggers are sometimes part of malwarepackages downloaded onto computers without the owners' knowledge. Detecting the presence of one on a computer can be difficult.

By design, they hide their presence on a system via methods such as

• being installed in hidden directories (folders) on the target system
• cleverly disguising or hiding the application from the operating system task list (Windows Task Manager and Start screens, Mac OS Activity Monitor, and equivalent)

So-called anti-key logging programs have been developed to thwart keylogging systems, and these are often effective when used properly.

Choosing a Keylogger That's Right For You

Dozens of key logging systems can be found on the Internet through basic Web searches. If you're looking for a good keylogger solution for your home or business, consider these factors when making your decision:

• Does it support the right operating systems?
• Are the reports it generates easy to read and access?  Keyloggers that deliver nicely formatted reports to your mailbox are much easier to use than those who keep data scattered in strangely named files on a local hard drive.
• How well does it remain hidden? If the keylogger hardware or software runs in plain sight, family members will likely find and disable it. If it consumes too many system resources (memory or processing power), it can also unnecessarily hamper the productivity of users.

• How to Use a Keylogger

  

Here is a detailed tutorial on how to use a keylogger to record keystrokes on computer or a cell phone. I know most of you are new to the concept of keylogger program. For some of you, this might be the first time you’ve heard about the term “keylogger”.

So, to give you a clear picture and make you understand better, I would like to take up this post in the form of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions). Here we go:

1. What is a Keylogger?

A keylogger (also called as spy software) is a small program that monitors each and every keystroke a user types on a specific keyboard of computer or a mobile device. A keylogger program can be installed in just a few seconds and once installed, you are only a step away from getting the target password and other sensitive data.

2. How Keylogger works?

Once the keylogger is installed, it starts operating in the background (in a stealth mode) and captures every keystroke of the target device.

Let’s take up a small example: The user on the target device goes to http://mail.yahoo.com and types his “username” and the “password” in the respective fields to login. The keylogger silently records these keystrokes and stores them in the logs. These logs when opened up shows the captured “username” and “password“. Along with this, you will also be shown that they were typed in the Yahoo login page. Thus, the keylogger loads upon every startup, runs in the background and captures each and every keystroke.

3. How to install the keylogger?

A keylogger can be installed just like any other program. Just follow the screen instructions and you’re done.

4. Do I need any special knowledge to install and use the keylogger?

Absolutely NOT! Anyone with a basic knowledge of using a computer or a cell phone can install and use the keylogger. It requires no special skills.

5. Once I install the keylogger, can the target user come to know about its presence?

No. The target user will never come to know about the presence of the keylogger. This is because, once installed, the keylogger will run in complete stealth mode. Unlike other programs, it will never show up in the start-menu, windows startup, program files, add/remove programs or the task manager. So, the victim can no way identify its presence.

6. Can I be traced back if I install the keylogger on some other computer?

No, it’s almost impossible to trace back to you for installing the keylogger on other’s PC.

7. Which keylogger is the best?

Today, there exists hundreds of keyloggers on the market and most of them are no more than a scam. So, I have personally tested some of the top keyloggers and conclude Realtime-Spy as the best one:

Realtime-Spy – Windows Edition (XP/Vista/7/8)

Realtime-Spy – Mac Edition

mSpy Premium – for Mobile Devices (Android & iOS)

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8. How it works?

I will try to explain the working of keylogger in simple steps:

1. After you purchase the keylogger, you’ll be able to create the installation module using an easy set-up program. You need to install it on the target PC/Mac/Mobile.
2. After installation is complete the monitoring process will begin. The keystrokes are captured and uploaded to the Realtime-Spy/mSpy servers continuously.
3. You can remotely login to your online account (you get this after purchase) to see the logs which contains the login details or any other sensitive data.

9. I don’t have physical access to the target computer. Can I still use Realtime-Spy?

Yes you can! Realtime-Spy supports REMOTE INSTALLATION feature which allows you to remotely install the program on any PC even if you have no physical access to it. For remote installation, all you need to do is just place the module (refer FAQ-8) in a .zip/.rar file and send it as an attachment to the target email address (for which you need the password).

As far as mSpy is concerned there is no support for remote installation. You will have to manually install it on the target mobile device (takes only 2-3 minutes to complete). After this you can monitor the keystrokes remotely from your online account.

10. How safe is to use a keylogger?

Both Realtime-Spy and mSpy are completely safe to use since all the customer databases remain confidential and private. They do not collect any information from your system other than the information required for the product’s successful operation. They will not contact you in any way unless you request assistance.

11. Is my online order Safe and Secure?

Absolutely Yes! All the e-commerce transactions for your purchase are handled by secure servers.So all your information remains private and secure. The safety and protection of your personal information is 100% guaranteed.

If you are in real need to capture keystrokes then keylogger is your best choice. So, what are you waiting for? Go grab it now and expose the truth!

Download Realtime-Spy – for Windows

Download Realtime-Spy – for Mac

mSpy Premium – for Mobile Devices (Android & iOS)