Key Logger
Since the beginning of this project I have had a Key Logger running on my laptop. If you are not aware of what a key logger does here is an overview.
A key logger sits in the background of you computer and can be installed legally by employers or illegally by hackers onto your computer. The job of a key logger, as its name suggests, is to record or log every single thing you type on your keyboard - passwords, bank details, private conversations - absolutely everything and anything. The logs are kept as text files and in the case of hackers are used to gain access to your bank details and passwords. In the case of your employer it is to record anything you might be doing that isn’t work related.
The key logger I have placed on my computer was purchased online and downloaded instantly. I decided to purchase a key logger rather than using a hacker’s version because of the security issues and to illustrate the fact that they can be used legally by businesses to track their employers keyboard movements.
The key logger that I am using is called TypeRecorder. The log that it creates gives details of which program was being used as well as the time.
This is what the company that created TypeRecorder have to say about it;
"An effective back-up tool, TypeRecorder X is a must for users who do a lot of typing. TypeRecorder X automatically saves all work to a daily log file, which can be retrieved in the event of an application or computer crash, or if any sort of work is accidentally deleted or modified. Because TypeRecorder X records all keystrokes along with the applications they were typed in (and the time they were typed), it is easy to reconstruct any lost work, or go back to an earlier draft of a document. Even if you forget to save, TypeRecorder will always be recording.
TypeRecorder X also provides a comprehensive record of computer use, and allows you to always look back and see what you (or somebody else) were doing on a specific date. Since TypeRecorder stores everything as text, a year's worth of computer activity can be stored in just a few megabytes, and searched in a few seconds.
TypeRecorder X works on the operating system level, so it records everything irrespective of which user is logged in. It is also highly configurable, so you can specify a password, recording interval time, recording data directory, and so on.
• Records every keystroke typed, all applications used.
• Monitors computer usage.
• Password-protection for data files.
• Encrypt all data files.
• Secretly record everything that is done on the computer.
• Does not show up in the list of applications.
• Requires user authentication to install.
• Uses very little processor speed or memory.
• Provides "crash insurance" in case of a computer crash/power outage - all your data is still saved.
• Virtually unlimited recording capacity; a year's worth of data can fit in about 5-10 Megabytes.
• Records all users of a computer."
I am going to use these logs in my installation and print them all out to show that the stalker has been recording everything that Amy types. It will also start blurring the line between Amy and me, as the recorder will have listed all of my dissertation as well as this text talking about Amy. Just as important is the fact that the line between the stalker and me will also begin to blur.
This starts to create an interesting paradox. Amy, the stalker and me are actually becoming one. This means that in the creation of this installation I have been stalking myself.