What is a Keylogger & How to Prevent Being a Keylogging Victim

Michelle Wilson - November 24, 2021

Consider what happens every time you use a computer or device on a given day. There are probably some emails, social media browsing, direct messaging with friends, searching for information—things you probably don’t even consider doing while you’re online. Now pretend that someone was standing closely behind you, monitoring everything you’ve typed throughout the day. Unfortunately, that’s what happens with keylogger (or keystroke logger) software is used on a system.

What Happens with Keylogging?

Keylogging is commonly called keystroke logging. This activity records a victim’s keyboard interactions, keeping a log of all activities. Keyloggers can do this activity legally, but it’s a typical form of data monitoring that hackers and criminals use to steal a person’s identity. While there isn’t anything unethical about the keylogger, malicious intent can cause significant problems for the user.

This type of malware has become a problematic and dangerous weapon for those trying to attack unsuspecting people. 

What is a Keylogger?

Keyloggers are hardware or software that tracks and records a person’s actions on the keyboard. These programs can be legal, with many legally installed applications. 

Unfortunately, cybercriminals don’t have the same intentions. Most malicious actors use this software to capture your personal information, including financial accounts, social media profiles, or PIN codes. This information is used to commit fraud or identity theft, giving criminals easy access to your personal information.

How Keylogging Software Works

Keystroke trackers are available in many different areas, including many legal installations. Just because a device has a keylogger on it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s malicious. If a user signs an agreement to use a software device, it makes it a simple program. It’s not the action of the keylogger that’s an issue; it’s an issue with intent and consent.

Regardless of the intent, all keylogging components function the same way. A keylogger records every interaction a user makes with the keyboard. A third party can access these logs, viewing anything recorded through the strokes. This might include financial accounts, passwords, PINs, or usernames. Acquiring the keylogger is through a variety of methods. The more popular options include:

• Phishing Emails: These emails will often contain a link or a downloadable attachment with the malware. Hackers might send this through instant messages, text messages, email, or social media posts.

• Trojan Viruses: Matching the same wooden horse used to infiltrate Troy during the trojan war, this method has hackers using a virus disguised as a legitimate file or application. The user accepts the item and downloads it, along with the malware.

• The Zero-Day Exploit: This attack occurs when a hacker discovers latent software flaws that allow malware through malicious webpage scripts and Trojans. Often, developers notice the spots in the software too late, infecting users unintentionally. Unfortunately, once a system is infected, they become more susceptible to other attacks.

• Infected systems: Most keyloggers take advantage of already infected systems, installing malicious software onto the device.

Types of Keyloggers

Most keyloggers spread through phishing scams, fake websites, and Trojan viruses when it comes to the general public. The main goal of every hacker is to obtain personal information for personal gain. This includes financial gain or fraudulent reasons (like identity theft). Keyloggers divide into two different categories: software-based keyloggers and hardware-based keyloggers.

Software-Based Keyloggers

Many keyloggers have a rootkit functionality, allowing the program to hide on the system. The trojan-sky programs track activity, save the data on your hard disk, and forward those details to a third party. These programs also follow clipboard items, microphones, cameras, and location data. These tools reach the user at different levels:

• Kernel Level: These methods are difficult to write and aren’t particularly common. They impact the device at its core operating system. They’re difficult to diagnose and eradicate.

• API level: The most common form of software intercepts signals from the keyboard to the program. It acts as a recording device, similar to a word processor.

• Screen Level: These will take regular screenshots, recording what appears on the user’s screen.

• Browser Level: The least complex software works as a “form-grabbing” ploy. The user records anything entered into web forms online, recording personal information along the way.

Software-based programs are more common than hardware due to their discrete nature. Hardware-based keyloggers are still available and need to be recognized.

Hardware-based keyloggers

These have a physical component to their implementation, whether hardware or wiring (for example, an overlay on an ATM). Unfortunately, hardware keyloggers are impossible to detect with antivirus software due to the device’s internal memory. Several types currently exist to watch out for:

Keyboard: keyloggers are installed in the wiring connecting a keyboard to the computer or directly in the keyboard itself.

• Physical drive: Keylog Trojans are delivered through USB or Mini PCI cards.

• Third-party recording: The least sophisticated, acting as a camera in a public environment. This is most used pointing at computer keyboards.

• Acoustic: a rarely used method, this method uses imperceptibly distinct sounds from individual keys of a keyboard.

Threats of Keyloggers

A hack is a significant threat to your online safety, mainly when a hacker uses your daily activity to collect your data without your knowledge. Information gathered for dangerous data collection, sensitive content, or financial disclosure. This disclosure can pose the following threats for users:

• Identity theft
• Data ransom
• Virtual or physical stalking
• Financial fraud
• Credit card or financial lockouts
• Exposure of sensitive personal information.

There isn’t a sure-fire way to know how the information collected will be used against you. Protecting your data needs to be the top priority so you can mitigate any ongoing threats.

How to Prevent Keylogging

Practicing online safety practices is the easiest way to protect yourself from keylogger malware. Always maintain a healthy sense of skepticism when online, and remember that no antivirus is foolproof.

Enable two-step authentication

Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication. Adding the extra step can keep your account secure, even if hackers gain your personal account information.

Only Download Files You Trust

Never download files you don’t trust, especially if you don’t recognize the sender. When browsing online, only download items from trustworthy sources with antivirus active. If you receive an email from a contact, always confirm the email contents before downloading the files.

Use a Password Manager

A password manager is an encrypted file that keeps keylogging software useless. You don’t have to display or enter your password to sign in to the account, as keystrokes aren’t monitored.

Use Voice-to-Text Conversion Software

Like a virtual keyboard, voice-to-text software circumvents forms of keylogging that specifically target the physical keyboard. This minimizes the impact of malware on your personal information.

How to Detect and Remove Keyloggers

While most hardware-based keyloggers might be easier to spot, the software is often untraceable until it’s too late. Many keyloggers show the common signs of a virus, including computer performance or abnormal delays. If you’ve noticed any of these delays, consider the following steps:

1. Run a software inventory check. If you notice any unknown software, remove it from the device.
2. Remove browser extensions. Some keyloggers are designed to monitor your web usage, showing up as a browser extension.
3. Remove keyloggers. Remove these as you would any other types of malware or viruses.
4. Perform a factory reset. If you can’t locate any keylogging software, it never hurts to perform a factory reset to be sure.

Conclusion

Unlike other forms of malware, keyloggers have the potential to cause significant damage to its victim. Recording keystrokes and screen sharing functionality pose serious threats, ranging from invasion of privacy to identity theft. By taking a few safety precautions, you’ll protect yourself against the threat of malware while ensuring your information remains safe online.