I bought a new computer from a company that was selling old ones. I know some companies have software on their to monitor the computers.
How can I search to see if there are Keyloggers, Remote Access, or any other things that could be transmitting information or allowing access to the computer?
Do I have to go in Safe Mode to find this out?
Thank you for your help.
Hi, horizons, welcome to the forum.
If you are running an admin account, a legitimate keylogger or other monitoring software should be visible in the “add/remove programs” list.
An illegitimate one should be easily detected using a good antispyware app like MBAM or SAS
It’s more likely that system admins of a company would have been more likely to deploy such a tool from the server, and it probably would have been removed as part of the “preparing computer for resale” process.
That’s what I would’ve done, anyway, but who knows?
Worth checking.
Hi Tarq. Thanks for the reply.
That’s what I’m trying to find. To see if there are any tools on the computer to allow someone to monitor the computer.
Would they be “hidden” from antivirus and other programs because they may so-called “legitimate”
That’s my concern.
Is there any program that will tell of the presence of any keylogger or remote admin program regardless of whether its commercial or illegitimate?
Remote Access :
You did not state what OS the computer has but, if it is XP, go to …
My Computer > Control Panel > double click on System > click on the Remote tab
If the box is checked in Remote Assistance, then someone has access to your computer.
To correct this, uncheck the box with one click and then click on the Apply button at the bottom.
Key-loggers by their nature gather information and then have to transmit that information, so you also need to ensure that you have a firewall - It should be capable of blocking unauthorised outbound Internet Connections. - What is your firewall ?
The term commercial or illegitimate really are immaterial as if you didn’t install it, then you don’t want it. Me if I was buying a second hand computer, I would probably start with a complete format, so I know what state the system is in and install from scratch.
Some secondhand computer sales will do this as a matter of course and install the Operating System - so this is also down to knowing the seller is trustworthy.
Thanks Charley and David. And much thanks to Charley for that valuable tip.
By the way, how does Remote Assistance work? If its checked, does a box pop up and you have to specifically grant permission? It says something about invitations?
Also Network wise, is there anything with Network Connections that I need to know about?
Also, can someone tell me how I can setup a password for my computer?
And to create a seperate user account which has limited access to things?
Hi :
When it comes to possibly using a “specialized” anti-keylogger program,
consider the FREE “Snoopfree” available at
www.snoopfree.com/PrivacyShield.htm . MAY also want to consider using
“KeyScrambler Personal” at www.qfxsoftware.com .
Sorry but I can not help you with how Remote Assistance works since I have never used it.
All I know is where it is and know not to have it active. Although, I guess it could have a good use.
Hi CharleyO,
horizons could use this program: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/kldetector.html
Fork to the things it detects.
Keyscrambler is the program to make all existing keyloggers will be of no avail:
http://www.qfxsoftware.com/Download.htm
polonus
Wot has a problem with that particular website:
Thanks polonus.