CNET Editors' review
You probably know that keyloggers are programs that capture a computer user's keystrokes, most often surreptitiously. As the name suggests, IwantSoft's Free Keylogger is a freeware keylogging app. It can track and record keystrokes, clipboard activity, and Net surfing on individual PCs or networks (with administrative access) without users being able to see it or disable it. Of course, you need access to a user's PC to install Free Keylogger, and there are ethical and potential legal issues involved when you monitor someone else's computer use. But for parents who need to know what their kids are up to or business owners concerned about liability from use of company PCs, for example, Free Keylogger is a cost-effective option.
Free Keylogger's user interface is small but packed with controls and features like a built-in calendar for quick reports, Startup and Invisibility settings, and Used Tools, which contains check boxes for selecting keystroke logging, clipboard scans, and Web navigation monitoring. We could set the program to start in hidden mode, hide it in the Start Menu and Uninstall list, set Hidden Mode hot keys, and uninstall the program from the interface. Following the software's instructions, we typed some text into a Web-based test field and clicked Keystrokes & Clipboard on Free Keylogger's interface. The program produced a text document logging the time, window, browser, user name, and keystrokes. We could generate a report of any day's activities simply by selecting the date in the scrolling calendar and clicking either Keystrokes & Clipboard or Visited Websites (links). Clicking Delete Reports instantly deleted the reports for the selected date. This is an important feature when Free Keylogger is used covertly. There's no Help file associated with the interface, but the online documentation suffices, and Free Keylogger is very easy to use.
We should emphasize the importance of using tools like Free Keylogger carefully and ethically, not to mention legally. For parents, business owners, and anyone who is responsible for how others use a computer, Free Keylogger can be cheap protection.
Publisher's Description
From IwantSoft:
Free Keylogger is invisible spy keystroke logger. It is designed for covert surveillance and PC activity monitoring. With this program you will know what other users are doing on a computer and track their Internet usage. It intercepts everything that is typed on keyboard (including passwords, emails, chats, documents etc), monitors clipboard changes and all internet navigation. Then collects all information to secret reports on a hard drive, so you can view it later. This program is invisible for everyone except you. Just press special hot key to unhide it. Do you have children? With Free Keylogger, you can protect them from dangerous contacts. You can read their online chatting and emails. Also, you can monitor visited websites. And don't hesitate! You have the right to know, because YOU ARE A PARENT. Does your girl cheat on you? Do you know that 40 million people visit dating sites each month? It's fact. The flirt is a part of our life, but a VIRTUAL flirt breaks moral scopes and gives a "fast sex" in result. Free Keylogger will help you find out whether or not your girlfriend, boyfriend, wife or husband is cheating on you when you are away. Are you a boss? Do all your employees use their computer resources and Internet connection solely for your business? Do they work as hard when you are away as they do when you are watching over their shoulders? Do you suspect your employee's productivity is lacking? Free Keylogger can help. Just install it on their computers and you can view spy reports anytime via LAN. Just open the following folders on their PCs. Of course, you must have administrative privilegies on this network. Lost typing? How many times did you lost important data typed in text editor, when your computer suddenly freezed and application aborted for no good reason? With Free Keylogger running, you will be able to regain the text you have typed during the day.
What's new in this version: Version 3.5 adds clipboard monitoring feature.
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All versions:
3.2 starsout of 105 votes
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Current version:
3.7 starsout of 37 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Powerful free software"
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
I like that this program is not just a keystroke logger, it can also capture Web surfing. I am able to see what websites my daughter is visiting. In addition, I can monitor her online conversations. She's only 12-years old, so I am trying to protect her in this way.
Cons
Nothing bad to say.
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"It's not really good"
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
Nothing good
Cons
Something I should have thought of before installing...actually seeing what's happened. It's difficult to gain access to the computer especially on weekends, so I can't always see what's happened in a timely manner. I'd prefer to see it have some kind of online login, as I do with most services now a days, to be able to see what's going on
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"Not as advertised, not worth the time to install"
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
Installation ease
Uninstall easeCons
Only monitors the installed admin account
Unrealiable even for that account
Does not monitor all user accounts, especially if they are limited accounts.Summary
Not sure where the 5 star rating are coming from, this program does not function at all like advertised. On initial installation, worked on monitoring the test for the install on the admin account. After a restart, only recorded a one liner for starting the keylogger.
Does not monitor other accounts at all. Previous reviews stated that all accounts monitored have to be full admin accounts; kind of defeats the purpose of monitoring your kids accounts if if they have limited accounts, which they should. -
"Not FREE - $30 for meaningful logging"
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
It logs stuff
Cons
It is not hidden, making it virtually useless, unless you pay $30.
Summary
If it is not free, don't advertise as free. Shame on CNET reviewer for not pointing this out.
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"Awesome prog"
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
Works like a hell. All keystrokes are logged. No problems with reading reports - thanks to the handy calendar tool.
Really invisible. Just use the hidden mode - and you are in game :)Cons
I can't find any problems yet.
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"Simple and easy"
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
May be the easier keylogger. I tried a lot of keyloggers, but all of them have big size and have annoying havy interface with multiple settings. But this program has all key features without additional windows, controls and tabs. I like it. And finally, it works great!
Cons
None so far.
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"Kind of unreliable"
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
its free, easy to use...
Cons
disappears and has to constantly be reinstalled. doesn't even show up in the program list and it wasn't checked to hide it from there
Summary
If you don't mind reinstalling it all the time, its a great little program...
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"Does exactly what it says it will."
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
Very easy to use. Can be disabled when not needed.
Cons
Can't think of any. It does a good job.
Summary
Really like this program. It helps me keep up with what the children are doing. Wish I had found it sooner!
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"Nice keylogging software"
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
It's:
-user friendly
-easy to use
-key strokes and WEB SITES that were visited are being logged in notepad and is easy to understand
-you can see the key strokes and clipboard, and web sites visited by clicking on a specific date on it's calendar.Cons
Really nothing.
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"Cannot monitor other User accounts"
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
An education: I'm learning not all CNET's raters are particularly smart.
Cons
1. Uninstalling is a major pain. 2. Only runs on Admin accounts. (that's correct, you did not misread; I have not mischaracterized).
Summary
Install this on your child's computer--with your Admin account, of course--thinking this program will log your children's keystrokes. NOPE. This only runs on Admin Accounts; YOU CAN ONLY LOG KEYSTROKES ON ADMIN ACCOUNTS. This is intentionally omitted from the program's description--which you'd expect--and somehow omitted from CNET's reviews--which you wouldn't expect. Well, maybe you should. SOMEBODY create some competition for this mediocre website (download.com).
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