On-Screen Keyboard : Safer way to type in public

Key loggers are computer programs which are designed to record all the key strokes that occurs in the system on which it is installed. Most of such programs works in the background without any active windows and it is quite difficult to identify their presence. These programs intercepts and records each and every key stroke and saves them in a log before sending the key strokes to the program to which it is intended. Key logger programs can then send these log files, which are plain text files in most cases to any email address over the internet. Any person who has access to the administative area of the key logger program can also view the log. The recepient can then watch your usernames, passwords and even credit card numbers. This is a severe security issue while accessing internet through public computers like internet cafes. Although most antivirus programs can detect and remove key loggers, these programs may also be installed by the system administrators to keep an eye on what is being typed by the users and in this case, he will disable antivirus protection on key logger programs. The result will be the same- some one else will read everything you typed without your knowledge or consent. This technology can lead to serious crimes like hacking into email addresses, sending unwanted or dangerous emails using your own email account, stealing credit card information etc.

Microsoft Windows comes with a handy tool to counter this to a great extent and this small program is called On-Screen Keyboard. This program can be used to enter critical data like usernames and passwords, credit card numbers etc to websites and other programs. On-Screen Keyboard has an interface which looks exactly like your ordinary physical keyboard with the same key combination. What you need to do is to click with your mouse where you want to type and activate On-Screen Keyboard. It can be done in Windows XP by going to Start > All Programs > Accesseries > Accessibility > On-Screen Keyboard or by running osk.exe using the Run window (Start > Run). Now you can click on the characters you like to key in instead of touching the key board and they will be displayed on the screen as if you are using your physical key board. It supports all the functions like alt, tab, caps lock, shift, function keys etc.

This method bypasses ordinary key loggers as you are not even touching your key board to key in sensitive data. It is advisible that you use this method while typing all sensitive data like usernames, passwords, personal telephone numbers, credit card number etc from any public terminal.

Even though this is not 100% fail safe, it works perfectly as a first line of defense and in most cases, works great.