Key-logger Tutorial Needed - Help Please

I just started coding in C++ and I need help with this project. The problem is to write a an application that acts like a keylogger which rather than writing what is typed into a file, will be able to intercept a character typed, look-up a hash table and a return what that character was mapped to instead. So that for instance, if my hashtable maps the Function keys to the first 12 letters of the Greek alphabet, I can just run this partial keylogger (or more aptly, key-transformer) while MS Word is running and and not have to use the Insert->Symbol map anymore. For starters, I'd like to learn how to do this in Windows before moving on to *nix or Mac platforms. Thanks. D.

Comment/Reply (w/o sign-up)

Well, to me, it seems like this is very complex.
I think you'll need to know something about interrupts.
And, also learn how hardware signals are formatted.
I would recommend that you look on the net for a tutorial about interrups in C++ before you start.
I think interrupts are really complicated.
The tutorial, I think, will be specific to a particular platform, so be careful.

Comment/Reply (w/o sign-up)

no help here.. just a surgestion.

Operating systems use a "Key Map".
it tells the OS keys on the keyboard return what ASCII codes.

do the greek letters have ascii codes ?
for your idea or mine to work they will have to.

anyways, why not create some new keymap files ?
and a program to switch in and out the origonal key map, withyour hacked keymap ?

Your keylogging idea is good, but will waste cpu, and showup as spyware on some scanners.

Comment/Reply (w/o sign-up)

Although I don't think an application that modifies interrupts will necessarily waste CPU time if its well written, I think your idea is worth pursuing.

I don't care if it shows up as spyware because I am the one going to use it and will know what the program does even if it is flagged as spyware.

Thanks to CryptWizard for the sugggestion too.

 

 

 

Comment/Reply (w/o sign-up)

I believe the ASCII table would not have greek characters unless the language was set to greek. The OS does definitely use a keyboard map that can be changed. I had a funny idea a while back to make a program that could dynamically change the keymap on-the-fly. Not sure on how you would make a keylogger. You would have to go down to the level of the kernel and intercept the input off the stream somewhat like the cin stream in c++, except at a lower level. Could be tricky.

Comment/Reply (w/o sign-up)

Using interrupts is not all that complex really it's just that they're used less frequently anymore. Most programming these days is done on a higher level than in previous years so most of the time when you need to deal with interrupt handling(many funcitons do even simple ones) there is already a pre-coded function that does the work for you and all you have to do is pass it some variables and get some returned ones. Once you get the idea of how interrupts work and why they exist you just need to learn how to actually interact with them then you will be off and running in no time. After a while you may find ways to streamline pre-existing functions so they run faster!

Good Luck

Comment/Reply (w/o sign-up)

Ok.. i didnt want to surgest this sttraight away, but nobody has given a tutorial so here ya go http://www.blackcode.com/

you will find one there.

however it seems the site is mainly for script kiddies.

Comment/Reply (w/o sign-up)