System Monitor

A System Monitor is a form of spyware that monitors, records and transmits your computer usage. Once the program is installed (most often without the knowledge of the computer user) it monitors what the user does on the computer and either stores the information for later retrieval by the hacker or transmits it to the hacker. Keyloggers (programs that monitor all keystrokes by a computer user) are probably the best known example of a system monitor.

System monitors record everything you do on your computer, whether or not you are on the internet. They can record your e-mail messages (both incoming and outgoing), internet conversations, the web sites you visit and how long you stay on them, the programs you run on your computer (i.e. word processing), and pretty much anything else you do on your computer.

System monitors are one of the most malicious forms of spyware, and it's pretty scary what can be obtained by their use. Cyber-criminals can get your personal and financial information and use it for identity theft. For example if you use your credit card to do online shopping, a system monitor could capture your credit card number, the three digit code on the back of your credit card, expiration date, and billing address. These programs can capture information even when you're off-line. If you use some sort of personal financial software such as Quicken or Microsoft Money to keep track of your personal financial transactions, a system monitor can record your information for transmittal to a cyber-criminal.

There are two ways a system monitor can get on your computer. The first is that someone having direct access to your PC would install the program. The second way is indirectly through the use of a Trojan horse program. A Trojan Horse that gets onto your computer can download other programs such as a system monitor without your knowledge to transmit your personal information to a third party.

The best way to protect yourself System Monitors is by having good security software, including a very good anti-spyware program. You need a program that can detect and clean system monitors from your computer while also providing real time protection from future system monitor infection. Check out our reviews of some trusted anti-spyware programs.