Is keylogger software for you?

Keylogger software might sound like something out of 1984; it tracks the keystroke entered into a computer so you can tell what sites it’s been used to visit or even record passwords. But it can have very practical value for ordinary people.

• Parents: it may sound negative and distrusting to use keylogger software to track what your kids are doing online, but consider the possibilities. If the kids just know you have the software installed, that might deter them from visiting sites that expose them to pornography or online predators. And just because you have the ability to track them doesn’t mean you have to do it every day; set boundaries, such as that you won’t look at the logs unless their grades are dropping or they stop communicating with you.
• Employers: if you own even a small company where anyone besides you has access to your computer, there is a potential for you to run into legal battles if an employee uses your computer to conduct illegal activity. More commonly, employees might access porn or say inflammatory things on message boards, using your IP to do it. Again, keyloggers act as a deterrent for most people, and for those who just can’t help themselves - you’ll have the evidence you need to protect yourself.
• In the event of theft: what if your computer or laptop is stolen and later recovered? A keylogger could help you determine what information was accessed, altered or added by the thief.
• Recovering lost information: One of the most overlooked benefits of keylogging software is for reconstructing your own activities when you lose passwords or files become corrupted.