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In an interesting turn of events, it appears that Microsoft didn't issue a recall after all.

According to a Micrososoft Press Release :

An apparent misinterpretation of information on a Microsoft Japan Web site resulted today in a media report of a recall of Microsoft's Xbox™ game console in Japan. This report is incorrect. There is no recall of Xbox in Japan or any other market.

The Xbox Japan Web site did report that Microsoft Customer Care Japan had received a small number of inquires (significantly less than one percent of systems sold) from customers reporting small scratches to the outside edge of some game disks after use in the Xbox game consoles. While this is not a common occurrence, and minor scratching is primarily a cosmetic issue that does not affect performance, a positive customer experience is of the utmost importance to Microsoft.

Xbox Japan responded accordingly in its statement offering to evaluate any Xbox system that a customer is concerned about. If a system needs to be repaired or replaced for any reason, Microsoft will do this immediately.

News source: Microsoft Xbox Press Release: Microsoft Clarifies Erroneous Press Report About Xbox in Japan

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To test the software's claims, TechTV Labs installed a recently released key-logging app, WinWhatWhere Investigator 4, an alarmingly solid performer that provides myriad ways to monitor and record keystroke activity. In our test, Anti-keylogger was able to ferret out the software, which was buried in an obscure file location.

When the software detects a key logger, you'll get the path name for the file and a frightening message:

"Anti-keylogger has detected unauthorized keystroke monitoring programs running on your system. All your passwords, credit card details, and confidential documents (as they are typed) are probably saved in the Log."

In one scan, the program listed a common .dat file (a Windows file that contains user information) as a key logger. The application was technically correct, but you might not want to delete the file. According to a company spokesman, the software uses mathematical calculations to determine the location of a key logger, though when asked precisely how it works he declined to elaborate further, alluding to trade secrets.

There are some un-install issues associated with the application, plus more importantly, the software doesn't offer much beyond detecting and removing key loggers. It doesn't, for instance, leave the offending program on your computer at the same time that it disables its features. The only option is to delete it, a function that's available only to registered users.

Additionally, another drawback is that the software only works with Windows 95/98/Me. Windows NT and NT-based operating systems like Windows 2000 and Windows XP won't be able to use the software.

Meanwhile, a cheaper alternative, Anti-Keylogger 2002 from Centurian Software, is scheduled for release soon.

Conclusions: Anti-Keylogger 1.12 hunts down key logging software so that you can delete it from your computer. Aside from its being a one-trick pony, it's expensive and at times brings back results for software that you might not want to delete.