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:
3.1 starsout of 90 votes
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Current version:
3.9 starsout of 21 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Inadequate, not user friendly!"
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
Small footprint; doesn't hog system
Cons
Instructions on how to use were minimal & it kept sending me to a website to buy a pro version with more functions. I tried to install so it would check my son's web-line usage but it would only work under my user name not his, and didn't say how to get it to log my son's stuff.
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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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"Great Monitoring Software"
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
This program does exactly what it describes. Easy to download and the reports are easy to read. There is no complex windows with tabs and advanced settings, so it is very easy-to-use.
Cons
No cons at this time.
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"Could be better"
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
It has some good features, easy to use
Cons
It skips keystrokes. A lot. If you just need something temporarily, then sure. download this. but if not, invest your money in something that is of better quality
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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. And it's good.
Cons
None so far.
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"This is a scam!!"
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
It records keystrokes - for anyone and everyone to see!!
Cons
The free version of this software does not start in hidden mode. So, whoever turns the computer on, whether on start or restart, will see the icon on the taskbar. Oh, but it gets better.
When you click on the icon, you are taken to the main screen that offers the option of starting in 'hidden mode'. When you click on that, another screen comes up that directs you to the website where you can purchase this program for $29.95. It clearly states there that the hidden mode is not offered in the freeware.
Additionally, as some have reported, this program does not uninstall. It remains on your computer until you wipe the drive clean or employ someone with enough technical expertise to go deep into the resitry of the computer and surgically extract it.
I've seen this sort of scam before where freeware is offered, where the program is unable to be uninstalled, and where the real program is then offered for a price. BUT....
I DIDN'T THINK CNET WOULD STOOP TO THIS.
I AM DONE WITH CNET!!!!Summary
THIS IS A SCAM IN WHICH CNET HAS AGREED TO PARTICIPATE.
IF YOU DOUBT ME, TRY INSTALLING THIS ON A COMPUTER THAT THE KEYSTROKE LOG TRANSPARENCY IS UNIMPORTANT - BUT REMEMBER THAT IT WILL NOT UNINSTALL. -
"Great key logger"
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
Very easy keylogging software. I like that it consists for a single application, so I can use it anywhere even without installation. The website monitoring tool is very useful too.
Cons
Nothing bad to say.
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"Won't stay hidden, can't uninstall"
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
Easy & quick to download, easy to use, but....
Cons
... it will NOT stay hidden. No matter how often you right click on the icon in the task bar and tell it to be hidden, EVERY time the computer is being turned on or restarted, the icon is right back in the task bar. So if somebody else (the one being monitored) turns the PC on before you can, there's no way to hide the icon (AGAIN) first. Also, now that it has been "discovered", it's impossible to uninstall the keylogger.
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"uninstall this"
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
nice, but not ideal
Cons
doesnt uninstall
Summary
how to uninstall...?
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"Simply Awesome"
Version: Free Keylogger 3.5
Pros
You can use this while your gone to see who has been on your computer and what theyve typed and whats sites theyve been to, this is virus free/spyware free, and it is very easy to use
Five stars recomended download!Cons
Nothing cons.
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