raineday

Q: Detect Keylogger on MacBook

Hi all. I have reasons to believe my ex installed a keylogger on my MacBook but have no clue how to detect. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

 

I have looked at the activity monitor and nothing looks suspicious, but I may be missing something.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Aug 29, 2012 12:59 PM

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Q: Detect Keylogger on MacBook

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  • by Michael Black,Helpful

    Michael Black Michael Black Aug 29, 2012 1:01 PM in response to raineday
    Level 7 (23,942 points)
    Aug 29, 2012 1:01 PM in response to raineday

    If she knew what she was doing, then you may never be sure.  The only way to be sure would be to erase and reformat the drive, reinstall the OS and reinstall programs from original sources (not a backup, if you fear you have backed up since the intrusion).

     

    However, if she did not have admin access, she could not have installed any such spyware, as it would require admin authentication to get write permissions to the areas of the OS it would need place files as well as alter system files.

  • by raineday,

    raineday raineday Aug 29, 2012 1:12 PM in response to Michael Black
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 29, 2012 1:12 PM in response to Michael Black

    He did have admin access, unfortunately. Now he seems to know every move I make on my MacBook. So there is no way to know what was installed, if that happens to be the case? I would like to cover all bases and be 100% sure how he is getting his info on me.. it's creeping me out.

  • by laundry bleach,Helpful

    laundry bleach laundry bleach Aug 29, 2012 1:35 PM in response to raineday
    Level 5 (6,982 points)
    Safari
    Aug 29, 2012 1:35 PM in response to raineday

    If  you want to be 100% sure, you'll need to reformat the hard drive, as Michael says. The good news is that WILL get anything installed. PITA, but if you want to be certain that is the way to go.

  • by carollight,

    carollight carollight Aug 25, 2016 1:53 AM in response to raineday
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Aug 25, 2016 1:53 AM in response to raineday

    To detect a keylogger on Mac, here is the tips:

    Step 1 Open the Activity Monitor to check for unknown process. This system tool will  allow you to view the programs (processes) currently running on your computer. 

    Step 2 Check and Research any unfamiliar processes running in your “Activity Monitor.”  Critical system processes sometimes have unrecognizable names, however, and  keyloggers may have a name that sounds legitimate. 

    Step 3 Download and install a mac keylogger detector or another software firewall.  This type of mac software alerts you when another program tries to connect to the  Internet. It will detect a keylogger for mac before it sends information over the Internet , and allow you to block it.