Is a keylogger malware?

Discussion in 'Programming' started by Dave757, Jun 7, 2008.

  1. #1
    I hope this is the right area for this thread. I couldn't think of a more suitable place.

    I tried to install a monitoring system (keylogger) on my son's computer (it's my computer but the one he uses). It's called All-IN-ONe Keylogger, a sponsored link at the top of the SERPs. Looks totally like a legit program.

    I had to think this over real carefully but I decided it was the right thing to do because I have the usual parental fears... plus reasons to be worried.

    As soon as I started installation the firewall started firing off Red Alerts for Malware. I aborted the installation but the malware warnings continued for ages. I kept deleting every file the firewall detected. Finally I had to shut down the computer.

    Now the warnings have stopped but how can I be sure this program is gone? By its nature it's meant to stay hidden.

    I don't think this program is malicious but the firewall obviously thinks so and now I just want to be sure the computer is clean. It's running Vista Home Premium, by the way.

    Thanks for any advice!
     
    Dave757, Jun 7, 2008 IP
  2. Raining Blood

    Raining Blood Active Member

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    #2
    Hi,

    You may think it's not malicious, and you installed this for a non malicious purpose, but what if it's somebody else installed one on your pc and it captures everything you type, your password of paypal, online banking, etc, etc. Is it malicious, isn't it?

    Keylogger is a malware, this program will make an outgoing traffic sending all the data logged, that's why firewall and antivirus will stop the traffic and give alert.
     
    Raining Blood, Jun 7, 2008 IP
  3. Dave757

    Dave757 Peon

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    #3
    Thanks for that. You've made a good point. But how do I make sure that damn thing is gone? Is formatting the hard drive the only 100% option?

    How about the restore function?
     
    Dave757, Jun 7, 2008 IP
  4. kmofo

    kmofo Active Member

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    #4
    Yes you can use system restore to make sure "the damn thing" is gone for good! Just restore one of the previous states, before you've installed the keylogger.
     
    kmofo, Jun 7, 2008 IP
  5. peepin2me

    peepin2me Well-Known Member

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    #5
    Keylogger is a spyware. It records all keystrokes and uploads it to a remote server or mails it to a specified email ID
     
    peepin2me, Jun 7, 2008 IP
  6. ЄxDeus™

    ЄxDeus™ Well-Known Member

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    #6
    did it not come with software to remove it? if its offical then it should have. Keyloggers and Antivirus change all the time AV is always updating and some Av just suck.... it may be picking up on how it was packed or the packages it sends and not be harmful at all. I have ran my own keyloggers on my dummy system and the anti virus tells me that my pc is under highly risk of attack when its not really. if you want upload it to virusscan.jotti.org to see what its on about.
     
    ЄxDeus™, Jun 7, 2008 IP
  7. Raining Blood

    Raining Blood Active Member

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    #7
    Is there any manual of it? You can check how to remove it. As it's a spying software, it will not be visible in the add remove programs in control panel, usually this kind of keylogger has a keyboard shortcut, like combination of shift + alt + etc..etc to make the user interface appear, once appears I think you will see an option to uninstall it. If the firewall is not giving alert anymore it means the keylogger process is no longer active.
     
    Raining Blood, Jun 7, 2008 IP
  8. gouthamlal

    gouthamlal Peon

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    #8
    I think its spyware.
     
    gouthamlal, Jun 8, 2008 IP
  9. Barti1987

    Barti1987 Well-Known Member

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    #9
    It is considered a malware/spyware since no one will want it on their computer.

    Teaching works better than blocking.

    Peace,
     
    Barti1987, Jun 8, 2008 IP