Start key-logging in 3 simple steps: section Quick Start
New to KeyGrabber hardware keyloggers?
Learn about keystroke recording first: section Recording keystrokes
Then learn to retrieve the recorded data: section Viewing recorded data
Finally, configure the internal clock: section Clock configuration
The KeyGrabber TimeKeeper is a special version of the KeyGrabber USB and KeyGrabber
PS/2, with an additional time-tracking module powered by an internal battery. The
KeyGrabber TimeKeeper inherits all the powerful features of the USB and PS/2 series, adding
the capability to create date and time-stamps in the log file. All TimeKeeper series devices
have a huge 2 Gigabyte flash disk, ensuring years’ worth of keystroke logging without any
maintenance. Both the USB and PS/2 versions are accessible via the Mass Storage Device
technology, guaranteeing super-fast and easy data access. This hardware keylogger is 100%
transparent for computer operation and no software or drivers are required.
Features
Internal clock and battery with over 7 years lifetime guaranteed
Built-in time-stamping module
Huge 2 GB memory capacity, organized as a flash file system
Compatible with all USB and PS/2 keyboards (including Linux & Mac)
Mac Mode ensuring full compatibility with Apple keyboards (MCP version only)
Ultra fast memory contents retrieve through USB
Transparent to computer operation, undetectable for security scanners
Memory protected with strong 128-bit encryption
Quick and easy national layout support
Flash Drive mode available both in USB and PS/2 versions
Ultra compact and discrete, less than 2 inches (5 cm) long
Complete functionality of the KeyGrabber USB or KeyGrabber PS/2
Requirements
Compatible keyboard:
USB version: USB HID-compliant keyboard (Low-Speed, Full-Speed, or High-Speed)
PS/2 version: PS/2 compliant keyboard
This section assumes you are already familiar with basic hardware keylogger handling, such
as recording and retrieving data. If you need detailed instructions, please refer to sections
Recording keystrokes and Viewing recorded data.
To record keystrokes, plug the device in-between the keyboard and USB or PS/2 port.
To view recorded data using the USB version, plug the device in-between the keyboard
and USB port, and then press the 3-key combination simultaneously (by default K, B, S)
The keylogger will pop-up as a removable drive, containing the file LOG.TXT. This file will
contain all recorded keystroke data.
To view recorded data using the PS/2 version, plug the device in-between the keyboard
and PS/2 port, and open a text editor (such as Notepad). Then press the 3-key combination
simultaneously (by default K, B, D)
A text menu will pop up, showing available options. Use the text menu to browse recorded
keystroke data.
Alternatively, to gain instant access to the entire log, connect the keylogger to a USB port
using the USB Download Accelerator.
The keylogger will pop-up as a removable drive, containing the file LOG.TXT. This file will
contain all recorded keystroke data.
Recording mode is the default mode of operation for the KeyGrabber TimeKeeper keylogger.
In record mode, the device will silently monitor all keystrokes coming from the keyboard and
store them on the internal Flash Drive in file LOG.TXT.
Installation of the keylogger in record mode is quick and easy, no software or drivers are
required. Simply plug it in between the keyboard plug and keyboard port. Recording will start
automatically on power-up.
Note: If an external hub is being used, connect the keylogger between the hub and the USB
keyboard.
Once keystroke data has been recorded, it may be accessed directly by switching to Flash
Drive mode. The PS/2 version has an additional option of displaying a text menu, described in
section Text Menu mode.
Flash Drive mode
The primary method for viewing recorded data is Flash Drive mode. The keylogger will act as
a mass-storage device and pop-up as a removable drive. Follow the instructions below.
After a few seconds, the hardware keylogger will automatically get detected as a mass
storage device. The operating system will use the standard built-in mass storage driver (MS Windows 7 in the following examples).
Note: During the first switch to Flash Drive mode, the operating system can ask for drivers. In
such case choose automatic driver installation (usually default option).
The Flash Drive will contain the file LOG.TXT with a text log of all captured data. Keystroke
data is formatted in the same as it would appear on the screen, with special keys in brackets
([Ent], [Esc], [Del] etc.). This file can be viewed and searched with any text editor, such as
Notepad or MS Word.
Switching back to record mode can be achieved by a safe software removal of the flash disk.
Use the systems standard disk removal procedure. For MS Windows, left-click on the Safe Removal icon in the system tray and select the appropriate drive.
For additional information, refer to the KeyGrabber USB User’s Guide and the
KeyGrabber PS/2 User’s Guide.
The PS/2 version features an alternative approach for memory viewing called Text Menu
mode. This mode does not require unplugging the device from the PS/2 keyboard, however is
a lot slower than Flash Drive mode. To enable Text Menu mode, the keylogger and PS/2
keyboard should be connected in the same way, as in record mode. A text editor is required,
such as Notepad.
The keylogger responds by simulating the PS/2 keyboard and will display a text-menu in the
editor window.
The displayed main menu shows a summary of memory usage in bytes and pages. The text
menu offers a variety of view, search, and configuration options. Use the digit keys to browse
around the menu.
Note: do not change the active application while in text-menu mode.
For additional information, refer to the KeyGrabber PS/2 User’s Guide.
It is necessary to configure the built-in clock module for getting correct date and time-stamps.
To do this, a text file named TIME.TXT should be prepared with the following format:
The fields should contain the current time and date. The field Format allows distinguishing
between A.M., P.M., and 24-hour time (use the value AM, PM, or 24). After the file has been
prepared, switch to Flash Drive mode and copy the file TIME.TXT to the root folder of the
flash disk. For the PS/2 version, the USB Download Accelerator has to be used to switch to
Flash Drive mode.
After copying the file, safely remove the Flash Drive. The new clock configuration will be
loaded during the next power-up.
The clock configuration file must be named TIME.TXT and must be placed in the root folder.
Variable and value strings are case insensitive, however they must match the options listed
below.
Year sets the clock year value. Valid range is from 2000 to 2099.
Month sets the clock month value. Valid range is from 1 (January) to 12 (December).
Day sets the clock day value. Valid range is from 1 to 31. If the specified day exceeds
the maximum number of days in the specified month, the next valid day value will be
chosen.
Hour sets the clock hour value. Valid range is from 1 to 12 for 12-hour time
(A.M./P.M.), and 0 to 23 for 24-hour time.
Minute sets the clock minute value. Valid range is from 0 to 59.
Second sets the clock second value. Valid range is from 0 to 59.
Format sets the time format. Valid values are AM, PM, and 24. If AM is chosen, the 12-
hour format is selected and the specified hour is treated as before noon. If PM is
chosen, the 12-hour format is selected and the specified hour is treated as after noon.
If 24 is chosen, the 24-hour format is selected and the specified hour is treated as 24-
hour format.
Hour setting (range 1 to 12 for A.M./P.M.
format and 0 to 23 for 24-hour time).
Minute
Minute value
(range 0…59, default 0)
Minute=37
Minute setting (range 0 to 59).
Second
Second value
(range 0…59, default 0)
Second=49
Second setting (range 0 to 59).
Format
AM
PM (default)
24
Format=24
Time format setting. If AM is chosen, the
12-hour format is selected and the
specified hour is treated as before noon.
If PM is chosen, the 12-hour format is
selected and the specified hour is treated
as after noon. If 24 is chosen, the 24hour format is selected and the specified
hour is treated as 24-hour format.
TIME.TXT
The file TIME.TXT is responsible for configuring the built-in real-time clock.
The Mac Compatibility Pack (MCP) is a hardware enhancement ensuring full compatibility
with Apple Mac computers and keyboards. Several Apple keyboards are USB High-Speed
and Low-Speed combos, creating a challenge for all types of USB keyloggers. The aluminum
Apple A1243 and A1242 are typical examples:
The KeyGrabber TimeKeeper with the Mac Compatibility Pack features a special Mac Mode
(enabled by default), which will convert the keystroke data stream to USB Full-Speed,
ensuring proper operation of the keyboard and logging of all keystrokes. Mac Mode is
compatible with standard keyboards too, so the KeyGrabber does not have to be
reconfigured.
When enabled, Mac Mode will add an additional pass-through USB hub to the system. If this
is undesired, Mac Mode can always be disabled, restoring normal operation. To disable Mac
Mode, open the configuration file CONFIG.TXT (see section Configuration files) and add the
following entry:
MacMode=No
This option can also be configured with KL Tools (see section Using KL Tools)
It is possible to enable a national layout for language-adapted keyboards, such as
French, German etc. This will allow national characters to get logged properly (including those
with Alt Gr), such as ö, æ, ß, ó etc. The following example demonstrates the advantages of
applying the German national layout.
To enable a national layout, the appropriate layout file named LAYOUT.USB (for USB
version) or LAYOUT.PS2 (for PS/2 version) must be placed on the flash disks root folder. The
file must be copied in Flash Drive mode. Layout files may be obtained from the CD-ROM
attached with the device.
To enable the layout safely remove the flash disk. During the next power-up, the layout file
will be loaded automatically.
KL Tools is a free application delivered with all KeyGrabber series devices. KL Tools assists
in configuring a KeyGrabber keylogger and retrieving the recorded data it contains. It is not
necessary to operate the device, but may speed up usage by its intuitive user interface.
KL Tools is available on the CD-ROM attached with the device. Installing KL Tools is
straightforward. Simply follow the installation wizard and answer standard questions. When
initialized, KL Tools will ask for the device type, and assist in configuring the device and
retrieving the log file. There is no special knowledge required to use KL Tools – simply follow
the instructions displayed by the application.
USB HID-compatible
keyboard (Low-speed, Fullspeed, High-speed)
PS/2-compatible keyboard
Dimensions including
connectors
(L x W x H)
53 mm x 20 mm x 12 mm
(2.1" x 0.8" x 0.5")
48 mm x 15 mm x 15 mm
(1.9" x 0.6" x 0.6")
Specifications
KeyGrabber TimeKeeper
All KeyGrabber products come with 1 year warranty against manufacturer defects. Defect
products must be shipped by the customer. All warranty repairs and delivery to the customer
will be paid by the manufacturer.
The KeyGrabber TimeKeeper will not work with the following hardware configurations:
1. Internal laptop keyboards
2. Bluetooth keyboards
3. USB-PS/2 and PS/2-USB adapters
4. Non-conformant USB or PS/2 keyboards
The keyboard is not responding
The keyboard connector or the keylogger connector is not inserted firmly. Please check the
connection with the PS/2 or USB keyboard and port.
Problems with time-stamps
Set the correct time by creating a clock configuration file TIME.TXT. Make sure you have not
disabled time-stamping. Refer to the Clock configuration section for detailed instructions.
Problems with logging national characters
Please check if you have downloaded the correct layout file and copied it to the flash disk root
directory? If not, please check the National keyboard layouts section.
The keylogger does not switch to Flash Drive mode (USB version)
Please check the following:
1. Is the keylogger inserted between the keyboard and the keyboard port on the PC or
hub?
2. Is your 3-key combination correct?
3. Are you pressing the 3 keys simultaneously? The 3-key combination will not be
accepted if pressed sequentially.
The keyboard doesn’t work in Flash Drive mode (USB version)
This is normal behavior for non-MCP devices. In Flash Drive mode, the keylogger will install
the removable disk instead of the keyboard. Use the mouse to copy the log file to the hard
drive, then restore normal operation. Alternatively, you may connect the keyboard to a
different USB port after switching to Flash Drive mode.
The mouse and keyboard don’t work in Flash Drive mode (USB version)
This can happen on wireless keyboards and keyboard/mouse combos for non-MCP devices.
In Flash Drive mode, the keylogger will install the removable disk instead of the
keyboard/mouse combo. To get around this, connect the keyboard/mouse to a different USB
port after switching to Flash Drive mode.
The USB Download Accelerator does not work (PS/2 version)
Please check the following:
1. Is the USB Download Accelerator inserted firmly between the keylogger and the USB
port?
2. Have you left the keyboard connected to the keylogger? Disconnect the keyboard.
3. Are you giving the device enough time to install? Flash disk installation can take up to
30 seconds, especially during first-time installation.
4. Are you sure you haven’t disabled USB mode while configuring the device? Check this
using the Text Menu.
Problems with detecting the PS/2 keyboard during system startup (PS/2 version)
Some systems try to enumerate the keylogger as a USB device before initializing the
keyboard. In certain cases on such systems, the keylogger may attempt to switch to Flash
Drive mode, disabling the PS/2 keyboard. A simple solution to this problem is to disable USB
mode through the configurations options in the Text Menu.
I’ve checked everything, nothing helps!
If you are still experiencing problems, please do the following:
1. Check if the problem appears on a different keyboard.
2. Check if the problem appears on a different computer.
3. Contact the dealer you have purchased the device from. Please supply all necessary
information (keyboard model and manufacturer, OS type and version, and a short
description of the problem).
KeyGrabber does not take responsibility for any damage, harm or legal actions caused by
misuse of its products. The user should follow the guidelines contained in this document,
otherwise no liability will be assumed. It is the user's responsibility to obey all effective laws in
his/her country, which may prohibit usage of KeyGrabber products. Please also consider, that
not knowing the law does not allow to not obeying it. A good example is the U.S. Department
of Justice Letter on Keystroke Monitoring and Login Banners, according to which a clear
notice should be displayed, warning that user keystrokes may be logged. Please check with
your legal representative for logging requirements in your country.