Protect from Keylogger

[Lisandro]

I found that avast did not detected keylogger software from www.refog.com

Bad.

[DavidR]

Why is it bad not to detect a legit keylogger, there are many that use them for legitimate purposes.

Many of which are parents monitoring their children activity on-line.

I guess the kids wouldn't want that in the system, but they aren't the ones purchasing the system nor installing the keylogger. Yes there are pro-active parental control applications, but many prefer to know what is being done on-line rather than simply blocking some sites/activities.

[Lisandro]

Why is it bad not to detect a legit keylogger, there are many that use them for legitimate purposes.

Because it can't be separated from the installed from the malware. Keyloggers need to be detected in my opinion.

Many of which are parents monitoring their children activity on-line.

Sad. There are tons of better parental controls.

I guess the kids wouldn't want that in the system, but they aren't the ones purchasing the system nor installing the keylogger. Yes there are pro-active parental control applications, but many prefer to know what is being done on-line rather than simply blocking some sites/activities.

Good parental controls have logs...

[Asyn]

1. Why is it bad not to detect a legit keylogger, there are many that use them for legitimate purposes.

2. Many of which are parents monitoring their children activity on-line.

3. I guess the kids wouldn't want that in the system, but they aren't the ones purchasing the system nor installing the keylogger. Yes there are pro-active parental control applications, but many prefer to know what is being done on-line rather than simply blocking some sites/activities.

1. There is no legit keylogger, imo..!!
2. Seems there went something wrong in the education then. Parents spying on their kids..??
3. Most kids are much smarter than the parents...
asyn

[rdmaloyjr]

3. Most kids are much smarter than the parents...

All kids think they are smarter than their parents till they grow up & have kids of their own,

then they wish they were as smart as their mother and father.

[Altarir.]

1. There is no legit keylogger, imo..!!

uhhh if there wouldn't they wouldn't be sold/distributed openly.

2. Seems there went something wrong in the education then. Parents spying on their kids..?? :(

why not? some parents are so paranoid, and sometimes kids are so dumb.

3. Most kids are much smarter than the parents... ;)

depends on what parents' job is. if their job is related to computer, then kids won't be "smarter" than parents until late school at least(assuming by "smarter" you mean "skilled in comps")

[Asyn]

3. Most kids are much smarter than the parents...

All kids think they are smarter than their parents till they grow up & have kids of their own,
then they wish they were as smart as their mother and father.

Maybe some, but that's off topic, as my statement was related to computers and software, etc...
asyn

[RONIN2010]

Why is it bad not to detect a legit keylogger, there are many that use them for legitimate purposes.

Many of which are parents monitoring their children activity on-line.

I guess the kids wouldn't want that in the system, but they aren't the ones purchasing the system nor installing the keylogger. Yes there are pro-active parental control applications, but many prefer to know what is being done on-line rather than simply blocking some sites/activities.

Amen David!! I'm actually glad someone created this topic. If it wasn't for Tech lol I would have never found that site for the ghost keylogger.

2. Seems there went something wrong in the education then. Parents spying on their kids..??

why not? some parents are so paranoid, and sometimes kids are so dumb.

3. Most kids are much smarter than the parents...

depends on what parents' job is. if their job is related to computer, then kids won't be "smarter" than parents until late school at least(assuming by "smarter" you mean "skilled in comps")

Asyn, try having a $700 bill for damages and repair due to a 16 year old child in full-on puberty.. Are you a parent? And Altarir, that's about half true.. I work in I.T. but that has no bearing on who's more intelligent in some situations. I know a decent amount regarding midrange hardware and most software but my knowledge is minimal on networking and security. My son has managed to wreak havoc on my PC due to his internet activity. But I can't just kick him off the computer altogether.. Due to curriculum in schools now, the internet and computers in general, are very much apart of schoolwork. That and I haven't found a successful way of "nannying" the internet and filtering every single porn site on the web. I've tried finding ways of solving this problem but my knowledge is limited and the consultation and the work to do so, is far more than this computer is worth. Personally, imo, it seems that a keylogger is a less-expensive solution to my problem. Also, it seems that most people that have a problem with someone spying on what they're doing, 1. Don't work in a corporate environment OR 2. Isn't a parent. Now, if you haven't been informed or signed a written consent, then that's a different story, as that falls under invasion of privacy. However, the whole subject of, "parents spying on their kids" is a mute point, when it's your house, your kids, your computer, your rules. Besides.. Having that proof, is a solid deterrent. Don't get me wrong I hate the whole concept of Keyloggers. But it seems to me, that there are viable uses for it.

[Lisandro]

RONIN2010, www.k9webprotection.com can block p0rn and also sites you need to pay, some kinds of malware, etc.
It's a freeware.

[RONIN2010]

RONIN2010, www.k9webprotection.com can block p0rn and also sites you need to pay, some kinds of malware, etc.
It's a freeware.

Thanks for that recommendation Tech. But is there a way that I can also restrict what he downloads? Other than just restricting malicious sites, some of it is from legitimate sites such as craigslist.

[Asyn]

Asyn, try having a $700 bill for damages and repair due to a 16 year old child in full-on puberty..

[OT]
Well, just to put a short answer here...
Let him pay the bill..!
Everything else should be put on another forum...
asyn

[DavidR]

<snip>
Thanks for that recommendation Tech. But is there a way that I can also restrict what he downloads? Other than just restricting malicious sites, some of it is from legitimate sites such as craigslist.

Well if you know what sites it would be possible to use some HOSTS file modification (but that could be reversed by a saavy teen) or block via your firewall.

If you haven't already give only Limited User accounts to your children and make sure that all users have to logon to get on the system. So no default auto logon, especially to an account with admin privileges.  Being on a limited user account might not stop them downloading some stuff, but it does limit what they can do and if the worst happens, limits the potential damage to the system.

[Lisandro]

David posted the most important thing: let him use a limited account.
You can use parental control of Windows also (in some versions).
K9 does not protect from P2P (emule, etc.) and, like any other software, is not perfect. He will always find a way to discover "new" sites.
Of course, you need to talk to him. Block is one way, but talking is everything.

[RONIN2010]

Asyn, try having a $700 bill for damages and repair due to a 16 year old child in full-on puberty..

[OT]
Well, just to put a short answer here...
Let him pay the bill..!
Everything else should be put on another forum...
asyn

Been there with that one. Since he doesn't have a job atm, his allowance defeats the purpose lol.

<snip>
Thanks for that recommendation Tech. But is there a way that I can also restrict what he downloads? Other than just restricting malicious sites, some of it is from legitimate sites such as craigslist.

Well if you know what sites it would be possible to use some HOSTS file modification (but that could be reversed by a saavy teen) or block via your firewall.

If you haven't already give only Limited User accounts to your children and make sure that all users have to logon to get on the system. So no default auto logon, especially to an account with admin privileges.  Being on a limited user account might not stop them downloading some stuff, but it does limit what they can do and if the worst happens, limits the potential damage to the system.

Absolutely. This was the original idea I had in mind. However, some of the programs he's been given from school, could not be installed on a limited account without admin rights. So I ended up having to let him use the admin account. Big mistake.. But it seems I might just have to enforce the limited account access.

David posted the most important thing: let him use a limited account.
You can use parental control of Windows also (in some versions).
K9 does not protect from P2P (emule, etc.) and, like any other software, is not perfect. He will always find a way to discover "new" sites.
Of course, you need to talk to him. Block is one way, but talking is everything.

I'm running XP Home. LOL I've had 16 years to talk. Talking is one thing.. Him listening, is another. 16 is the golden age of stubbornness. However, it seems that the issue I've had of late, may not have been his fault. At least I can't prove it. I spend a good deal of time away from home in my line of work, so he's on it more than I am. Also having 2 additional people who access this computer, albeit on a limited account, doesn't help either when trying to narrow it down. That's why I had been eyeing keyloggers as of late. But maybe the last "talk" we had actually did some good.. At least his school work is improving.. Who new the words "Military School" could be such a powerful deterrent!?

[DavidR]

<snip>
Thanks for that recommendation Tech. But is there a way that I can also restrict what he downloads? Other than just restricting malicious sites, some of it is from legitimate sites such as craigslist.

Well if you know what sites it would be possible to use some HOSTS file modification (but that could be reversed by a saavy teen) or block via your firewall.

If you haven't already give only Limited User accounts to your children and make sure that all users have to logon to get on the system. So no default auto logon, especially to an account with admin privileges.  Being on a limited user account might not stop them downloading some stuff, but it does limit what they can do and if the worst happens, limits the potential damage to the system.

Absolutely. This was the original idea I had in mind. However, some of the programs he's been given from school, could not be installed on a limited account without admin rights. So I ended up having to let him use the admin account. Big mistake.. But it seems I might just have to enforce the limited account access.

As much of a pain as it is, it has to be better that you install those programs from school, then at the very least you know what they are and they would be all that is installed. This has to be preferable to letting him get hold of the admin account and installing what he likes over and above the school stuff.

Though there are some applications that still require a user account with administrator privileges (not 'the administrator account'), games comes to mind on some of them.

Since it cost you $700 before, perhaps it might be worth looking for a cheap netbook, that has adequate resources for school work, single Atom processor, small screen, limited RAM (1GB, 2GB Max) and graphics (possible to hook up to a TFT monitor at home), so it won't be able to run some of the things he wants to download.