Re: Keylogger Question

"Johnnycat" <Johnnycat@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:E71A8314-1B70-4E61-BD1B-77B25ADFF644@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A friend of our family has recently gotten a divorce, and her husband had
some computer know how. He left a computer for her to use, but
increasingly
she is becoming worried that perhaps a keylogger or other some such
software
has been left behind as a present because periodically he says things that
she doesn't think he should even know about. She knows that he installed
something on their daughter's pc that records information and emails it to
him, so she's worried that he might have that on her pc as well. She
doesn't
know what it was, or what it was called. I know that most keyloggers with
email capability have the ability to hide from normal detection, so I was
wondering if anybody had any suggestions on where to look for this. I've
thought about maybe installing zonealarm and seeing when/if something is
trying to email information to him, etc. I also seem to remember seeing a
program on the net that would show all programs loaded/running on a
system,
including items like Magic Folders. I can't find that one again, but
thought
maybe somebody on here might have heard/seen it, or have any other
suggestions on tracking this down. I've thought of just blowing the box
away
and reloading, but he took all of the software that they had when he moved
and they aren't exactly getting along so well that he'd let her have it
all
to reload. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

I am surprised your friend keep using the computer despite the fear that
keylogger may be installed.
My suggestions:
(1) replace the hard disk and re-install the OS and other software on the
new hard disk. Copy over any data from the old drive (data only, not
programs). This is cheaper than buying a new PC but has the same level of
security. This serves two purposes: by installing a new OS on a new drive,
there is no possibility of any malware. Plus, the old drive is preserved so
that you can analyze it for keylogger or what not and use it as evidence. If
she doesn't want to bother with re-installing, then buy a new PC. Do not
throw or give the old PC away. Either keep the old hard disk as potential
evidence, or erase it totally, not just formatting it.

(2) change all passwords on all email accounts, bank accounts, credit card
accounts, etc. Perhaps the ex has her email password.

If getting back the old software is an issue, ... post the question in a
divorce court newsgroup.


.

Relevant Pages

  • Password Locked
    ... If you end up installing a keylogger I would get ... >our security event log and there are 2 PC that registers ... >technician to tell her that she types like her ass. ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • Re: If Macs have no spyware....
    ... >>> sure, not EULAs, but they all know what they are installing, ... >> So if I quietly bundled a keylogger in a bit of shareware, ... >> think most users would realize they were installing a keylogger? ... >> less savvy about security than your average Windows user. ...
    (comp.sys.mac.advocacy)
  • RE: Nessus/keyloggers
    ... What I had in mind was to run a keylogger and perhaps ... installing a keylogger and a reconaissance type tool on a thumbdrive ... suggestions on a keylogger or nessus type tool that could be easily ...
    (Security-Basics)
  • Nessus/keyloggers
    ... What I had in mind was to run a keylogger and perhaps nessus from ... installing a keylogger and a reconaissance type tool on a thumbdrive - leave ... suggestions on a keylogger or nessus type tool that could be easily ...
    (Security-Basics)
  • Re: detecting a keylogger
    ... A hardware keylogger, such as one built into a keyboard or in-line with the ... Not sure a check on the hard disk will find this. ...
    (comp.security.misc)