BagKeys

· Overview ·
· Origins ·
· Operation ·
· Risks ·
· Detection and Removal ·
· Research ·

Overview

Summary:

 Captures keystrokes and sends them to a file. Keystrokes are captured in such a way that they may be played back to recreate the exact strokes the user entered. Uses include demos and training (by playing back the script stored in BAGKEYS.DAT) and user monitoring (for security purposes.).

Alias:

 Badkey.A.Trojan [Computer Associates], Badkey.B.Trojan [Computer Associates]

Category:

Key Logger: (Keystroke Logger). A program that runs in the background, recording all the keystrokes. Once keystrokes are logged, they are hidden in the machine for later retrieval, or shipped raw to the attacker. The attacker then peruses them carefully in the hopes of either finding passwords, or possibly other useful information that could be used to compromise the system or be used in a social engineering attack. For example, a key logger will reveal the contents of all e-mail composed by the user. Keylog programs are commonly included in rootkits and RATs (remote administration trojans).

Trojan: Any program with a hidden intent. Trojans are one of the leading causes of breaking into machines. If you pull down a program from a chat room, new group, or even from unsolicited e-mail, then the program is likely trojaned with some subversive purpose. The word Trojan can be used as a verb: To trojan a program is to add subversive functionality to an existing program. For example, a trojaned login program might be programmed to accept a certain password for any user's account that the hacker can use to log back into the system at any time. Rootkits often contain a suite of such trojaned programs.

Similar Pests:

 Key Logger · Trojan

Origins

Date of Origin:

 January, 1993

Operation

Storage Required:
  • BagKeys: at least 21 KB
    		•

    Risks

    Detection Issues:

    		 Difficult to detect by design. May hide from process list. May install with variable names in variable locations.

    Detection and Removal

    Automatic Removal:

    PestPatrol detects this.

    PestPatrol removes this.

    Manual Removal:

    		 Follow these steps to remove BagKeys from your machine. Begin by backing up your registry and your system, and/or setting a Restore Point, to prevent trouble if you make a mistake.
    Stop Running Processes:

    Kill these running processes with Task Manager:

    Remove Files:

    Remove these files (if present) with Windows Explorer:

    Research

    File Analyses:

    More Info:
  • AllTheWeb, AltaVista, AOL Search, Ask Jeeves, Google, HotBot, Lycos, LookSmart, MSN, Yahoo!
    		•

    Research By:
  • PestPatrol's Pest Research Center
    		•

    Last Revised:

    		 October 20, 2004