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Asa Aarons reporting We frequently hear warnings about big brother monitoring our activities. When it comes to your computer, such surveillance is possible, though it's not always big brother who is the problem.
We should be just as worried about the password hacker down the street. He could be watching your every move.
It's called keylogger software, developed to help companies and parents keep track of computer activity. It didn't take crooks long to find it.
Barbara Anthony, Federal Trade Commission: "It's the latest way of retrieving personal information by criminals."
The software enters your computer in the form of an attachment. It could be a free offer or survey. After that, it silently goes to work.
Barbara Anthony / Federal Trade Commission: "It is recording every keystroke that your computer makes, that you make on your keyboard."
The far away crooks could probably care less about your web browsing during work hours. They're after other information.
Barbara Anthony, Federal Trade Commission: "Your user ID, your password, if you're purchasing anything online, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, etc. All of that is being recorded and retrieved."
Keylogging software is easy to obtain and easier to use. It was believed to be used in a multi-million dollar bank scheme. To protect yourself, be vigilant online. Don't download programs from sources you don't know and trust. Install anti-virus software. If you find yourself the victim of this kind of scam, the FTC wants to know.
Barbara Anthony, Federal Trade Commission: "This is how we keep track of this kind of scam, and how, if we, we may be able to actually find people who are behind this kind of scam and see that they're prosecuted."
Work computers are monitored legally. When it comes to home computers, keep your anti- virus software up to date, encrypt your passwords. And even after all that, remember, if you don't want someone else to read it, don't write it.
