Keyloggers Hardware Keyloggers are small devices about the size of a AA battery that are plugged in-line with your keyboard in order to record your keystrokes.  These devices are generally used by companies to monitor employees or really serious "spies" who want to keep track of what you do on your computer.  Hardware keyloggers are generally advertised as being better than software keyloggers because they are undetectable.  This is true for the uneducated; however after reading this page you should be able to spot a hardware keylogger with ease! Unfortunately, it is not possible to detect most hardware keyloggers using software or we would have developed such software already.  Fortunately, they are easy to spot by simply following your keyboard wire!  Because of this simple fact, we have put together this page to allow you to find them yourself. A hardware KeyLogger is installed between your keyboard and computer, like this:

 

By taking a peek behind your system and following your keyboard cable, you can find out if there is something "odd" inserted between your keyboard and computer.

One of the most popular hardware keyloggers is KeyGhost (www.keyghost.com). You can visit that site for more information on hardware keyloggers and why they are such an intrusion into your privacy.  Here is a representation of what a hardware keylogger may actually look like installed:

Depending on the brand of your keylogger, it may differ from the above photo.  If you see a device about the size of a AA battery along your keyboard line, it could either be a filter, which is harmless, or a hardware keylogger.  Look at the device carefully for connectors which would make it removable.  If it appears that the device can be removed from in between the keyboard and computer, chances are that it is a hardware keylogger.

REMOVAL OF A HARDWARE KEYLOGGER:

To remove a hardware keylogger, you MUST SHUT DOWN YOUR SYSTEM!  You could damage your system if you attempt to remove the keylogger while your computer is running!  Once your system is powered off, carefully remove the device from in between your keyboard and computer, and then plug your keyboard directly back into the computer.  Make sure that it is plugged in completely, and be gentle as the connectors are somewhat fragile.

That's it!  Turn your system back on and run SpyCop to make sure that any of the  software keyloggers or spy programs are not running!