For people who are familiar with how Zemana AntiLogger works, there is an alternative software called DataGuard AntiKeylogger. It is developed by MaxSecurity Lab, the same company that develops NextGen AntiKeylogger which I have reviewed nearly 6 months ago. AntiKeylogger software doesn’t rely on virus signature updates and file scanning like the traditional anti-virus programs do. It simply detects if the method used in logging keystrokes are being activated and either automatically blocking it or offering the user to allow the action. It is easier said than being done because there are more than one method of capturing keystrokes, with some of them are private unknown method.
From the official DataGuard AntiKeylogger’s website, it claims to provide protection against keystroke logging, clipboard capturing, capturing text from opened documents and windows, hidden screen capturing, DirectX based keyloggers, kernel level keyloggers and keyboard filters through its cutting-edge heuristics methods to detect and disable all types of potential keyloggers using analyze of its activity. As good as it sounds, I am actually more interested in putting DataGuard AntiKeylogger Ultimate to the real world tests rather than believing what it says.
I re-image my test system to a clean Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit with all latest updates. I used a 32-bit platform to perform the test because DataGuard AntiKeylogger can only support 32-bit. I then installed the latest version of DataGuard AntiKeylogger Ultimate v4.1 and followed by a restart. All protections by default so I can directly start installing keylogging tools to test if DataGuard AntiKeylogger is able to block them.
The results are either FAILED or PASSED. FAILED means that DataGuard AntiKeylogger wasn’t able to block the keylogger and PASSED means protected.
Keyloggers
1. Invisible Keylogger Stealth: Failed
2. All In One Keylogger
– Textual Logging: Failed
– Visual Logging: Failed
3. Revealer Keylogger Pro Edition: Failed
4. REFOG Keylogger: Failed
RAT Trojan
5. Blackshades NET
– Live logger: Failed
– Keylog manager: Failed
– Screenshot manager: Passed (Refer image below)
– Webcam Manager: Failed
– Audio Manager: Failed
DataGuard AntiKeylogger replaces the screenshot capture by BlackShades with some blur image
6. Cammy
– Webcam capture: Failed
7. CyberGate
– Webcam capture: Failed
– Remote desktop: Passed
– Audio capture: Failed
– Keylogger: Passed
8. DarkComet
– Webcam Capture: Failed
– Sound Capture: Failed
– Remote Desktop: Failed
– Online Keylogger: Failed (Refer image below)
– Remote Keylogger: Failed
DarkComet is still able to log keystrokes when DataGuard AntiKeylogger protection is active
There are actually a few more keyloggers to test but I gave up seeing that DataGuard AntiKeylogger failed most of the tests. If you wonder what DataGuard AntiKeylogger actually protects since it failed most of the real world test and I believe it is made based on simulation testing tools. I’ve tested DataGuard AntiKeylogger against simulation test programs made by Zemana (KeyLogger, ScreenLogger, ClipBoardLogger, WebCamLogger) and Firewall Leak Tester (Anti-KeyLogger Tester AKLT) and it managed to block all of it.
In my opinion, Zemana Antilogger is far superior than DataGuard AntiKeylogger. The last time I reviewed Zemana AntiLogger, it is able detect ALL keylogging, webcam capture and screenshot capture methods from different trojans, and it can also detect process injection and startup addition without putting any noticeable load on the computer. Moreover Zemana can also run on 64-bit.
Nevertheless, a free lifetime license of DataGuard AntiKeylogger worth $59 for possible future use is still valuable. To request for your free license, head on to Techno360′s review on DataGuard AntiKeylogger page and click on the “giveaway page” link located near the end of the article. Entering a username and email at the giveaway page will instantly generate your unique license key.