Computer and Software Support


Keyloggers

A Keylogger is a file that gets installed on your computer that records the keys you push on your keyboard so an intruder can find out your passwords and other information.

Here is some things you can do to protect yourself from getting a keylogger (Note: there is no guarantee but these steps will make your chances of being safe greater)

  1. Have an anti-virus program on your computer

    1. Update the anti-virus program and run it often

    2. You will want an anti-virus that runs in the background all the time.

    3. There is free anti-virus programs but some do not run in the background in the free version

  2. Have more than one anti-spyware programs

    1. Run a scan frequently

    2. Here is a short list of a few

      1. Malwarebytes (I strongly recommend this one)

      2. Spybot

      3. Ad-aware by Lavasoft

      4. Here is a list of additional programs

  3. Make sure your windows is up to date by using Windows Update

  4. Be careful of the websites you go to. An infected website can download viruses and other items in the background. (This step is hard to follow because even legitimate websites can be infected)

  5. Be careful of email with attachments. The attachment can contain a virus.

    1. Scan any file or attachments you get.

    2. Do not assume that the attachment is safe. Even if it is from a family member. There is no guarantee that the email is from a friend or a family member

      1. For explanation, I am going to use your mother

        1. Your mother's computer gets a virus. The virus sends out an email to everyone in her contact's list with a virus attached. You get the email. Because it is from your mother, you feel it is safe and open it. Now you are infected and sending emails to everyone on your list.

        2. Before you open an email with a file attached, you can do one of two things

          1. Contact the person (such as your mother in this example) and ask him or her if they sent the email with a file attached

          2. If you send files and receive files from someone frequently, come up with a code. When someone (your mother as in the example) sends you an email with a file attached. She adds a codeword that you and her came up with. Lets say you use the code word Donald Duck. When she sends you a file, you type the words Donald Duck in the body of the email. When you get an email from her and you see Donald Duck, you know she is the one that sent it. If you do not see Donald Duck. Either she forgot to put the code in the email or a virus sent the email. Call her and verify the email.

  6. Here is additional tips to help you avoid problems.

  7. Do not use passwords that is easy to guess. There is programs that hackers will use to try to guess your passwords

    1. They know that people use their kids, dogs, hobbies, birthdates and other items in their passwords. They also know they may use a mixture of them together. If your son's name is John, your dog's name is Blue, and your birth year is 1947. They will try Johnblue1947, bluejohn1947, and other combinations to see if you are using them.

    2. It is not hard to find that information from someone. People do not feel threatened by giving most of the information, but yet we use that information in our passwords. Click here for suggestions on a passwords you can use.