What Is a keylogger
A keylogger is an insidious monitoring software or hardware designed to log all your keystrokes to capture everything you type.
Types of Keyloggers
Keyloggers can be implemented in a few different ways. These include:
1.Software Keyloggers
Software keyloggers are malware that is installed on an infected computer. It monitors events on the computer to detect keystrokes and may collect video or audio.
2.Hardware Keyloggers
A hardware keylogger is a physical device connected between the keyboard and the computer. With USB keyboards, this will plug directly into the computer’s USB port and the computer will be plugged into it.
3.Mobile Keyloggers
Mobile keyloggers are mobile malware that implements the same functionality as a software keylogger on a computer. The main difference is that a mobile keylogger will record interactions with a touchscreen rather than a keyboard and may have the
How to Detect and Remove Keyloggers
Different types of keyloggers can be identified in different ways. In this case
- An endpoint security solution should be able to identify the malicious or suspicious file and aid in removing it from an infected device.
-For hardware keyloggers, a physical inspection of the computer is necessary to identify the malicious device. If something is attached between the keyboard and the computer, there is a high probability that it is a keylogger (unless it is designed to convert from one type of USB port to another). If such a device is present, removing it and connecting the keyboard directly to the computer will disable the keylogger.
How to Protect Against Keyloggers
1.Endpoint Security
Software keyloggers are commonly integrated into malware. An endpoint security solution should be able to identify this malware and block it from installing on a computer.
2.Email Security
Malware is commonly spread via phishing attacks where the malware is embedded in an attachment or downloaded from a malicious link. Be cautious when clicking on links or opening attachments in unsolicited emails.
3.Virtual Keyboards
Some software and all hardware keyloggers monitor button presses on a physical keyboard. Using an on-screen, virtual keyboard can prevent these from collecting keystrokes.
4.Network Monitoring
Keyloggers are designed to collect keystrokes and then send them to the attacker for analysis and use. Network monitoring may be able to identify the data exfiltration, making it possible to detect and remove a keylogger from an infected machine.
5.Account Security
Keyloggers are commonly used to steal passwords, which attackers use to access a user’s online accounts and corporate systems. Implementing strong account security protections such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and zero trust network access (ZTNA) can reduce the potential impacts of a compromised password.
