Anti-keylogger installs quickly. When you first launch the application, the program offers three possible modes of scanning your computer for possible key-logging applications: low, recommended, and high. Once you select a mode, it scans your hard drive. Given the nature of what's at stake, we suggest you go for the highest setting. Keep in mind that using this setting requires more scanning time depending on the size of your hard drive, the speed of your processor, and the amount of installed RAM.

To test the software's claims, TechTV Labs installed a recently released key-logging app, WinWhatWhere Investigator 4, an alarmingly solid performer that provides myriad ways to monitor and record keystroke activity. In our test, Anti-keylogger was able to ferret out the software, which was buried in an obscure file location.

When the software detects a key logger, you'll get the path name for the file and a frightening message:

"Anti-keylogger has detected unauthorized keystroke monitoring programs running on your system. All your passwords, credit card details, and confidential documents (as they are typed) are probably saved in the Log."

In one scan, the program listed a common .dat file (a Windows file that contains user information) as a key logger. The application was technically correct, but you might not want to delete the file. According to a company spokesman, the software uses mathematical calculations to determine the location of a key logger, though when asked precisely how it works he declined to elaborate further, alluding to trade secrets.