Simply put, a keylogger (KL) is a tool designed to record all the keystrokes of a computer, either through software or a hardware device. This keyboard recording activity is also called keylogging or keystroke logging. Although keyloggers are not illegal, their use is often associated with malicious activities.


Positive Uses of Keylogger

Although they are used for illegal activities, keyloggers have several positive exploitation options. If used with good intentions, it can help parents monitor their children's PC activity or be used by employers to determine how their employees use their PCs during work hours. However, it should be noted that this should only be done with the voluntary consent of the employees. A keylogger can also be used to protect (record) passwords and other data if the operating system crashes (but there are certainly better ways to do this). Additionally, keystroke logging has recently been adopted by scientists as a tool for studying human writing processes.


Negative uses of Keylogger

As the name suggests, the purpose of a keylogger is to record every keystroke from the target computer, which is not always a bad thing. But unfortunately, the most common use of a keylogger involves malicious activity. KL programs are widely used by cybercriminals as a way to steal sensitive information from victims, such as credit card numbers, passwords, personal emails, bank credentials, driver's license numbers, etc.


Types of Keyloggers

As mentioned earlier, there are two main types of keylogging devices. There is a software and hardware version. When it comes to software and hardware keyloggers, it is important to understand the differences between the two types. Although the software version is the most common, it is worth understanding how hardware KL functions.


Keylogger hardware:

  • It usually consists of a small chip or wire that is physically attached to the computer or laptop;

  • Most hardware KLs can be easily removed;

  • The extracted information can be viewed using a coordinating computer program, even after the chip or wire is removed;

  • Typically the preferred type of keylogger for companies that care about their employees;

  • The unique thing about software keyloggers is that they are a version of the KL hardware firmware that can be connected to the computer’s BIOS and record data as soon as it turns on;

  • KL wireless sniffers are capable of intercepting communications between wireless keyboards and a computer.


Software Keylogger

Unfortunately, a software keylogger is much more difficult to detect. There are many different categories, with different methods and technologies, but in general we can consider the following:


  • It usually consists of software that has been secretly installed on your computer by a hacker. It can be downloaded directly to the host computer (for example, using phishing attacks), or remotely.

  • The most common software keyloggers only record computer keyboard activity, but there are modified versions that can perform screenshots and clipboard logging.

  • Less common types of software KL include those based on: Javascript (injected into websites), APIs (running within an application), and web forms (recording any data presented in web forms).




Preventing Hardware Keylogger

It is very unlikely that you could have a hardware keylogger, especially in the privacy of your own home. However, this is possible in a public environment. Since a hardware keylogger typically uses a USB port to operate, your primary defense will be to use spot checks in the USB area of ​​the computer you are using.

When entering sensitive information such as a password, you can also use the mouse to confuse the keylogger, if available. For example, enter the last character of your password first, and then move the cursor to enter the rest. The keylogger will log the last character as the first. Selecting and replacing text as you type is also an option. You can try many different ways or other methods to cheat the typing. However, these methods are not very functional, and may not work with more sophisticated keyloggers that also record screen or mouse activity.


Preventing Software Keylogger


  • Software keyloggers are harder to detect, but installing a good antivirus will likely help keep you safe.

  • Installing an anti-keylogger software is also an option as it is specifically designed to detect, remove and prevent keylogger attacks.

  • Be careful with email attachments and links. Don't click on ads or websites from a source you don't know.

  • Keep your software applications and operating system updated

  • Any user who uses internet banking or any other online activity that involves money should be especially careful (including cryptocurrency followers and traders).


How to detect and remove Keylogger

The easiest way to detect a software keylogger is to check the operation of system processes. If there is something that looks strange, you should search for it on the Internet and try to figure out whether it is a legitimate program or an already known keylogger. Additionally, it is also important to examine your outgoing traffic from your computer.

Getting rid of a software keylogger is not easy, but it can be done. First you should install an anti-keylogger and check if it can be removed. If your computer is still acting strangely and you suspect that the anti-keylogger was unable to solve the problem, you most likely need to completely format and reinstall your operating system.