KeyloggersFollow

Depends which one you have (and where it inserts itself into the OS).

Fairly straight forward way to do it is to grab some software to do it for you, like:

Spybot Search, and Destory
Microsoft's Anti-Spyware beta
Ad-Aware Personal Edition

y would you have your pol password the same as any other password? thats just asking for trouble. If you think someone elses pc or the internet cafe had a keylogger that would mean your home pc is safe and secure right???

meaning just change your damn password?

Edited, Sun Jan 8 14:01:54 2006 by Xellith

Q: Does antispyware beta find everything?

No. No anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-<whatver> software is 100% effective. If you're really paranoid, you run two of your favorite anti-* software (as is Microsoft's recommendation).

> because I got signed outta MSN onto another PC and I
> know for a fact that noone knows my password

Well, if someone signed you on from another PC where you weren't present, then obviously someone knows your password. Chances are you simply got your password guessed (majority of the time, stolen passwords are due to users picking weak passwords, like "4nicate", versus something strong like "^vdUj}T1"), or it was cached at one of the internet cafe's that you frequented.

However, if you *really* think you might have a keylogger, then try the following:

If you don't have Anti-virus software (with an active subscription), go get Avast! from: http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
(Grisoft also offers a free A.V. suite: http://www.grisoft.com)

Update your virus database, and do a complete scan of your system.

Download, install, update, and run "Ad-Aware", and "Spybot Search and Destroy" both. (links provided in my previous post)

Once you've done that, go to Trend Micros house call software, and have it scan your system to verify you're clean. ( found at http://www.trendmicro.com/hc_intro/default.asp )

If you still get positives, go to http://www.trendmicro.com/spyware-scan/ and let it attempt to clean up you're PC.

Chances are you're PC is clean at this point. If not, you can either find a computer security service in your area to remove the stuff, or simply format your hard disc, and re-install the OS.

Once you're all clean, there's still a couple things to do:

Change your on-line passwords. Use strong passwords (eight characters long, include upper and lower case letters, at least one number, and at least one extended (i.e. %, }, |, !, ,, #) character, don't use anything that resembles a real word)

Go download Firefox, Thunderbird, and Gaim. Quit using IE, Outlook Express, and MSN Messenger -- which are major vectors of infections.

Optional Karma Bonus: If any of the above free software that you downloaded (Avast!, Ad-Aware, or Spybot Search and Destroy, Trend Micro) found something and cleaned if off your system, go purchase a copy of their software in thanks for saving your hiney.


Edited, Sun Jan 8 18:10:54 2006 by Unixium

Please read this:

http://www.bullguard.com/forum/5/INTELLIGENT-EXPLORER_5940.html

Hijack this is probably your best bet as it is able to detect even the best of keyloggers and spyware on stealth mode (best ones are spectorpro which can ONLY be detected by things like hijackthis). BUT if you are ignorant of what programs you are running on your PC, look up to see what your registry should be running on start up. So download hijack this and save it to a download folder then open and run it.

Your registry should open up and show you whats opens and runs on start up, whether it is stealth mode or not. If its things you recognize, do not delete it. Most people delete the toolbar as they don't know that its part of start up with IE. If you see another toolbar on the list, check it and run a acan or question with the program, it will tell you where it came from and what it does. If it is questionable, and it says tracker, then delete.

Just FYI, most best keyloggers are installed/downloaded/ or sent by email by people in your own place, family significant other to keep track of what you are doing and for how long. The ones that are done by companies usually are more trackers than loggers.

Good luck.