Ardamax

Parents are charged with the difficult task of protecting their children; a generation or two ago, this meant walking with them to the bus stop, stressing the importance of not talking to strangers, and urging them to be cautious in the moments when we cannot be there to watch them.  Today, though, this job is much more difficult because of the access our children have - and the access other people have to our children - with the internet.  It is impossible to monitor their interactions all of the time to ensure that they are safe, isn't it?  With a keylogger program, such as Ardamax, it becomes possible to track your child's online activities.  Unfortunately, however, keyloggers also make it possible for unscrupulous parties to monitor your computer for far less altruistic reasons.

What is Ardamax?

Ardamax, which is a legitimate and legal software application, is a parental control program.  The purpose of such programs is to allow parents to monitor emails their children send, chat rooms they visit, images and videos they download, and more.  Known also as "keylogger" programs, these parental control programs can literally log each key stroke so it is possible to completely reconstruct each online visit.  If a child is viewing potentially harmful sites or has engaged in conversations with would-be predators, knowing this early can help parents protect their children.

The problem with programs like Ardamax is that while they are beneficial to parents with the best intentions, they can also be used by those with the worst intentions.  Ardamax touts its ability to track internet activities and keystrokes as its main selling point; this can also allow another person to monitor your personal computer usage, the websites you visit, the emails you send and receive, and the credit card, bank, and personal information you enter.

How Does Ardamax Become Installed in Your System? 

Rogue antivirus programs, Trojans, and other forms of malware can enter your computer without your knowledge.  These can sneak into your system disguised as a video codec or an email attachment, and you will not be aware until you see the telltale signs, like pop-ups or false scan results.  It is very different with Ardamax.  This program, and other parental control applications, is directly installed into your system.  The installer must have direct access to your computer.  Most often, this is parents who are installing the program on their home computers, but it could also be spouses, friends, family members, employers, employees, or others who could gain access.

Ardamax is downloaded via the Ardamax website.

Can You Tell if Ardamax is Installed on Your Computer?

Ardamax, like all parental control programs, is designed to be invisible.  It will not be listed in any directory, nor will it appear as one of your running programs. It will evade detection by your antivirus and security programs as well.  This has the very practical purpose of being undetectable for children, but it also makes it almost impossible to tell if it has been installed without your permission.

You may notice that your computer is running more slowly than usual, and you may find that your CPU usage is higher than normal.  These are far from definitive signs, though.  According to expert reviews, however, Ardamax is not as effective as other keylogger programs, and you may be able to detect not-so-hidden files or traces of the program.  You may also be able to bring up the main Ardamax window by keying in ALT, CTRL, DEL, and H at the same time. Because of the covert nature of these programs overall, they are considered to be a severe risk if used improperly.

What Risks Does Ardamax Pose if Used Improperly?

Once installed on a computer, the installer no longer needs direct access. He can monitor activity remotely from any other computer.  If installed by someone with negative intentions, it is possible that your passwords, credit card and other financial information, and personal information are at risk.

Can You Remove Ardamax?