What Is a Keylogger And Understanding Keyloggers

21 Oct, 2022 9394 Views

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What Is A Keylogger DEFINITION

What is a keylogger? At its most basic definition, a keylogger is a function that records keystrokes on a computer. Taken at this basic level, keystroke logging looks harmless. In the hands of a hacker or a cybercriminal, keystroke logging is a potent tool to steal away your information. We’ll talk about how keystroke logging works, how cybercriminals install it on your computer, and what you can do to avoid being a victim. You’ll know what is a keylogger when we’re done.

What Is A Keylogger: WHY IS KEYSTROKE LOGGING A THREAT?

Keyloggers are a serious threat to users and the users’ data, as they track the keystrokes to intercept passwords and other sensitive information typed in through the keyboard. This gives hackers the benefit of access to PIN codes and account numbers, passwords to online shopping sites, email ids, email logins, and other confidential information, etc.

When the hackers get access to the users’ private and sensitive information, they can take advantage of the extracted data to perform online money transaction the user’s account. Keyloggers can sometimes be used as a spying tool to compromise business and state-owned company’s data.

What Is A Keylogger: HOW DO KEYLOGGERS WORK?

The main objective of keyloggers is to interfere in the chain of events that happen when a key is pressed and when the data is displayed on the monitor as a result of a keystroke. A keylogger can be done by introducing a wiring or a hardware bug in the keyboard, to achieve video surveillance, terminating input and/or output; or by also implementing the use of a filter driver in the keyboard stack; and demanding data from the user’s keyboard using generalized documented methods. There are two other rootkit methods used by hackers: masking in kernel mode and masking in user mode.

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What Is A Keylogger: HOW DOES KEYSTROKE LOGGING SPREAD?

Keyloggers can be installed when a user clicks on a link or opens an attachment/file from a phishing mail

Keyloggers can be installed through webpage script. This is done by exploiting a vulnerable browser and the keystroke logging is launched when the user visits the malicious website.

a keylogger can be installed when a user opens a file attached to an email

a keylogger can be installed via a web page script which exploits a browser vulnerability. The program will automatically be launched when a user visits an infected site

a keylogger can exploit an infected system and is sometimes capable to download and install other malware to the system.

What Is A Keylogger: HOW HACKERS INSTALL A KEYLOGGER?

A hacker employs a Trojan virus as a delivery tool to install a keylogger. But way before one is downloaded onto your system, a hacker will use two different methods to get it into your computer. And both ways involve your participation.

The first method involves phishing. Phishing is the act of faking an email from a legitimate company to fish for passwords and credit card numbers. Sometimes, these emails contain attachments that download programs stealthily into your computer once you click on them.

For the second method, the hacker researches his intended victim beforehand to find a weakness in her or his online habits. Let’s say a hacker finds out the victim habitually visits porn sites, the hacker might craft an email with a fake coupon for a membership into an exclusive erotic website. Since this method targets a particular fondness of the victim, there’s a large chance of success that he or she will download the fake attachment, unknowingly installing the keylogger.

What Is A Keylogger: HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM KEYLOGGERS?

Take caution when opening attachments: Keyloggers can be present in files received through email, chats, P2P networks, text messages or even social networks. If someone sends you an email out of the cold or the contents of the email are asking for your personal information, chances are there’s a keylogger in there somewhere.

Implement Two Factor Authentication

Strict implementation of Two-factor authentication through one-time passwords would help users protect their sensitive credentials, as the one-time password is momentary and the hackers cannot use the same detected password the next time.

Use of Virtual Keyboard

Virtual Keyboard helps to avoid personal data interception by hackers. It is software used to allow the users to input characters without the actual need for physical keys.

Use a comprehensive security system:

Install a good Antivirus Product with the latest virus definitions. Xcitium takes antivirus to the next level through its Advanced Endpoint Protection (AEP). Xcitium AEP is stoked with artificial intelligence to deliver robust malware detection mechanisms. It has updated databases of KNOWN GOOD files and KNOWN BAD files through whitelisting and blacklisting respectively. It also uses containment technology to isolate the UNKNOWN/SUSPICIOUS FILES into a separate virtual container and analyze the files through static and behavioral checks by an online file verdict system called the Xcitium Valkyrie. Xcitium AEP also includes VirusScope to implement algorithm and machine learning-based detection. So the protection is 100% with Xcitium Advanced Endpoint Protection and keyloggers cannot escape detection.

CONCLUSION What Is A Keylogger

It is advisable to stay vigilant with a proactive and comprehensive security system like Xcitium Advanced Endpoint Protection to combat even the most deadly keylogging activities.

PROTECT YOUR ENDPOINTS FOR FREE