Quick easy keylogging

SniperGuy · April 2007

So I was wondering if there's a way I could get a quick, quiet keylogger? As in, something not easily findable (hidden in processes and such) that creates a text file of logged keys?
Ideally, it'd be cool if I could have a specific flash drive to plug in and have it automatically upload the text file to it.

Parents are trying to monitor my siblings PC activity, as there's been some problems, so if anyone could recommend something that'd be great.

Fristle · April 2007

One of those little hardware devices that attaches in between the machine and the keyboard can be useful. Nobody looks for those, and you can even get them to install inside the keyboard housing.

Keyloggers are a shady topic though -- I half expect a forum mod to come in here and kill this thread.

Hewn · April 2007

Anybody who can help him in what appears to be a legit request has probably already been smart enough to use PM. Otherwise this thread could be a bee's nest for all kinds of trouble.

roastghost · April 2007

I know you didn't ask for an opinion, but don't do it. Unless there's a dire need (and I seriously mean in the realm of "I think he's going to bomb a schoolbus tomorrow if we don't stop him") .

I'm not sure what you're looking for, but I suppose it's criminal activity, communication with undersirable people, mental health, sex maybe. Whatever the problem is, by spying on the sibling you're driving them away to further secrecy and deceit. Lack of trust is a problem you can only compound by invading their privacy.

I just can't see a good outcome from this.

Bama · April 2007

roastghost wrote: »

by spying on the sibling you're driving them away to further secrecy and deceit. Lack of trust is a problem you can only compound by invading their privacy.

I just can't see a good outcome from this.

For serious. Make sure this is a battle you want to start before doing anything like this.

SniperGuy · April 2007

It is. She's 12, lots of problems. I realize the moral problems, etc etc. It's not so much being hidden to keep them unaware, as more of a deterrent from activities they shouldn't be looking at. We did our damndest to keep her in AOL, and that didn't work, she always found a way back to IE, so this would be an excellent deterrent.

Sentry · April 2007

I suppose talking to her and treating her like an adult, or at least a mature child, is out of the question?

SniperGuy · April 2007

Yes, because she has a mental disorder. It's difficult to explain to a 12 year old fascinated with the idea of a penis, that "yaoi" is something she shouldn't be looking at. As it makes her even more curious.

The moral lessons here are not important. We've tried other avenues, this seemed to be a good one. I just wanted suggestions on a keylogger program, not a lecture on how my parents should raise their children. Not meaning to be rude, but come on, we're not crazy here. It's just an all encompasing way to make sure she knows she can't look at stuff she shouldn't.

Hewn · April 2007

I'm with you, man. There's no moral implications for parents looking after a 12-year-old. That's sort of their job.

Sorry I'm of no help, though!

Scooter · April 2007

Uh. Porn's not a mental disorder. I mean, I know what I was using AOL for when I was 12. :winky:

If it's that big a worry for you guys, just take away her rights to the PC.

TexiKen · April 2007

Yes, take away the computer if its becoming that bad of a problem. Keyloggers only provide evidence she is doing it, what you want to do is stop her from doing it in the first place.

How...how did she even learn what Yaoi is? I didn't even know before this thread and now I'm pissed off because I didn't want to know that. What the hell, Japan.

Hewn · April 2007

TexiKen wrote: »

How...how did she even learn what Yaoi is? I didn't even know before this thread and now I'm pissed off because I didn't want to know that. What the hell, Japan.

A Penny Arcade comic mentioned it once. That day I had the same experience you just did. What the hell, Japan, indeed.

Trowizilla · April 2007

Unless she's focusing on porn so much that it counts as an addiction, it's pretty normal for 12-year-old girls to be interested in it. And it's not like practically every straight male in here doesn't love to look at lesbian porn, so quit it with the "euuuw, yaoi" stuff, guys.

My advice? Hint at her that discretion is a good thing when looking at porn on one's parents' computer.

Pheezer · April 2007

Okay guys he's made it clear what he needs advice with and none of you are being particularly helpful.

Thomamelas · April 2007

I would go with one of the hardware keyloggers, or better yet I would look into setting up a basic proxy server. Something like http://www.youngzsoft.net/ccproxy/ would probley be a better idea. The proxy server would actually be a dramaticlly better idea.

The keylogger is going to be a reactive solution, i.e. she's already seen the wang, rather then flitering software which will be a proactive solution, i.e. prevents her from seeing the wang. And filtering software is generally alot less creepy then keyloggers.

Shazkar Shadowstorm · April 2007

Yeah. Filtering seems like a better way to go.

Pheezer · April 2007

A proxy IS a good idea, as you can also have it log whatever she attempts to access in a way that she can't clear out by deleting temp internet files. It's a more complex solution, but the best solution is rarely the easiest.

His Corkiness · April 2007

If she doesn't know how to clear a browser's history, you can always just look through that. Though I guess you've probably already done this.

Hewn wrote: »

TexiKen wrote: »

How...how did she even learn what Yaoi is? I didn't even know before this thread and now I'm pissed off because I didn't want to know that. What the hell, Japan.

A Penny Arcade comic mentioned it once. That day I had the same experience you just did. What the hell, Japan, indeed.

Yeah, you're completely right. A homosexual type of hentai? Fucking crazy, sick Japan.

SniperGuy · April 2007

Yeah, she's a tad smarter than that. I'll look into this proxy thing.

Pheezer · April 2007

His Corkiness wrote: »

Yeah, you're completely right. A homosexual type of hentai? Fucking crazy, sick Japan.

Shut up.

Muriden · April 2007

I used to work for a school district in their IT department so this was a common occurrence. For a while we were upgrading the school's filtering and firewalls with new boxes running Squid on linux. http://www.squid-cache.org/
My boss would buy the cheapest POS refurbished machine from Dell and slap that combo on it. It would have a web based interface so you could check on it without having physical access to the box. You would have to run a cable to the proxy box from her machine rather than the router.
I don't know how fluent you are with linux. But if you do have an old machine sitting in your basement and some time/energy to figure this out it could be a good solution for you.

Another thing you could look into is making another machine that's not her's a domain controller and joining her machine to that domain. Then pushing out settings via active directory to IE so that she can't change them. I know there are a multitude of free proxies out there, I personally don't know of any that are for parental filtering but I wouldn't be surprised to find one. You could set AD to force her browser to that proxy. This could be the cheapest way to do this. I'm not sure of the particulars of doing this but once again it's a starting point for you.

Hope this helps.

embrik · April 2007

How about this one?
Looks to fit the bill. It does cost money, but it's just under $50, so it's not bad. There are some less reputable apps if you're interested, but judging by the fact that these guys already support Vista, it's probably gonna work fine.

Edit: Here's another one. Also costs a bit, but not bad. Looks like there are a few good ones.

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