A keystroke recorder, also known as a keystroke logger is a way of capturing and recording a computer users keystrokes.  These loggers are often used for illegal purposes but can be implemented for legal use as well.  Keystroke loggers can be used to show productivity for clerical staff or by criminals to gain access to your passwords for your bank accounts and other potentially useful information.

Keystroke loggers can be installed in a variety of ways; inline devices that are attached to the keyboard cable, devices which can be installed inside standard keyboards and actual replacement keyboards that contain the key logger already built-in. The most difficult to install is the most difficult to detect naturally.  Keystroke loggers have existed for over ten years and have been used by everyone from criminals to the FBI.  

Having a good antispyware program is essential to avoid being plagued by keystroke loggers.  Responsible program vendors will make sure their programs are up to date and are keeping your computer safe from these programs.  Contrary to popular belief, a firewall does not eliminate keystroke loggers from your system but will cause problems with them sending data back to their owners.  

One of the best things to do if you believe you are being tracked by keystroke loggers is to try and confuse them.  There are a plethora of methods available to do this.  First, you can get anti-keystroke logging software that will block all keystroke loggers but will sometimes block legitimate programs as well.  You can also use a different keyboard setup which can be enabled on any windows computer.  Or if you want a different option still you can use Auto Macros/Expanding text where a nonsensical letter combination will fill in your password for your bank account or other important account. 

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