Key Loggers

There are a few beta versions of 'Zombie' and 'Root kit' detection software. However if you dig deeper you need a Process monitor or similar software. This should reveal services that are hidden from the generic 'task manager' views. Key loggers for those who don't know:

A Key logger is a software or hardware application that was designed to capture all keystrokes typed. Software key logger utilities are used more often simply by how they are distributed. Some key loggers are distributed commercially while others can be obtained through' wares' or hacker websites. Advanced Key loggers have the ability to run silently on a target machine and remotely deliver the recorded Information to the user who initiated the Monitoring session. Usually Key logger is the basic Part of anyone Espionage or Activity Monitoring Software. Again detecting them is a diverse and interesting pursuit. You can check out software to assist you in your tasks like this:

General Detection

http://www.styopkin.com/keylogger_hunter.htmlhttp:/www.spycop.com/?hop=djaco&tid=BELLAhttp://www.anti-keyloggers.com/

Process Monitoring

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/ProcessExplorer.mspx

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/processexplorer.html

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Processesandthreadsutilities.mspx?wt.svl=featured

Education on all things

http://forum.sysinternals.com/

See, it's also interesting to note like spyware, malware etc once it hooks into your system, hooks into system DLL's and services it gets a lot more tricky. Looking for a hidden process is what I personally take pleasure in, But then I've done this for a long time.. So back to Key loggers etc how about a firewall, Set up to maximum i.e. new rule set and watch for activity, using a process monitor and watching your systems Resources would be another way to start looking. If you don't have any kind of protection, do some research Download 'Trial' versions of Kaspersky Internet Security, Bitdefender or Mcafee and set the firewall up to maximum and see what it reveals. They give 15-30 days unlimited, full-versions so that's enough time to get Familiar with things and also make a choice on Protection schemes, this of course is assuming you don't have Anything in place already. Obviously, there's more to it than what I have touched on here, but this should give you Some idea's and directions in which to pursue your suspicions...