Trusting External Software?

Ok now coming from a background of MMOs (AO and CoH) I have often found myself using external software programs to help me out. I remember specifically ClickSaver in AO. There was some hero maker thing in CoH I used as well but dont recall the name. Never have I ever had a problem with any of these.

However in GW this keylogger thing has become huge that there is warning in the log on screen. This never even was a problem in other games I have played. However, some external software would still be beneficial for tracking unlocked skills, running sample builds, testing numbers without having to buy runes, etc. I know some software is inherently trusted such as Teamspeak and Ventrillo. So my question is three fold:

1. Would a program like Norton Internet Security or Zone Alarm that notifies you when a program is trying to access the internet giving you the option to accept or deny also catch a key logger program so that you can deny that information being sent?

2. How do you know what software to trust (isn't malicious or have keyloggers)? Is there a set rule of thumb? Is there specifics sites to download from and others not to download from?

3. I have recently heard of software from www.gwfreaks.com going to thier website and reading about this software it sounds like a very useful program. Has anyone tried this software and had luck? or is it among the software to avoid?

Side note: Gee why does everyone have to be so cruel and thieving to make things like this so complicated for people?

well att least for me when some program tries to send info or recieve it f-secure asks me if i want to let it do that......

Huh? Maybe I am being dense but I dont understand your post answering my question and if I think it means what I think it means correctly then I am not sure how it is answering my question.

1. maybe...unless it was well coded an opened a port your firewall/Anti-Virus wasn't monitoring.

2.you could download a Hex Editor and open the file in a hex editor before you run it. Then search for terms like @ or ".net" or ".com" this will give you a pretty good idea of whether or not it's attempting to send an email somewhere....though there are other ways like DC and IRC, and a plethora of other examples I don't care to list, to send your information to the recipient.

3. I don't know

So basically, like sex, the only way to be truely safe is abstinence eh? Bummer that GWFreak program looked nifty.

lol pretty much

Later tonight when I get home and am not on a Windows machine I'll download the program you are asking about and decompile it. I'll be able to tell if it's safe to run later tonight.

So what did you find out?

I cannot stress this enough people; You download calculators and other third party things at your own risk, but you're best off just checking the forums or breaking out a good old notepad and calculator instead.

Why don't you just play the game and explore, As Principa has said "use them at your own risk", you will be advised that "we told you so" when your account has been stolen or you have been banned.......