What Is a Keylogger And Understanding Keyloggers

Updated on October 21, 2022, by Xcitium

What Is a Keylogger?

A keylogger is a type of spyware that records every keystroke entered on a computer, smartphone, or other device. Cybercriminals use keyloggers to capture sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and personal messages without the user’s knowledge.

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.

How Does a Keylogger Work?

A keylogger is installed on a device.
It records every keystroke entered by the user.
Captured data is stored locally or transmitted to attackers.
Cybercriminals review the information.
Stolen credentials may be used for fraud, account compromise, or identity theft.

Keyloggers operate silently, making them difficult to detect without security tools.

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.

Software Keylogger vs Hardware Keylogger

Software Keylogger	Hardware Keylogger
Installed as software	Physical device attached to hardware
Operates in the background	Records keystrokes directly from the keyboard
Can be distributed through malware	Requires physical access
Often used by cybercriminals	Sometimes used for monitoring and investigations
Easier to deploy remotely	Harder to install remotely

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.

Common Types of Keyloggers

Software Keyloggers

Installed through malware, phishing emails, or malicious downloads.

Hardware Keyloggers

Physical devices connected between a keyboard and computer.

Kernel-Based Keyloggers

Operate at the operating system kernel level for deeper access.

Browser-Based Keyloggers

Capture information entered into web browsers.

Mobile Keyloggers

Designed to monitor activity on smartphones and tablets.

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What Information Can a Keylogger Capture?

Keyloggers can record:

Usernames
Passwords
Banking information
Credit card numbers
Personal messages
Email content
Search queries
Social media credentials

The stolen information may be used for identity theft, fraud, or unauthorized access.

Signs Your Device May Have a Keylogger

Common indicators include:

Slow system performance
Unusual keyboard behavior
Increased CPU usage
Unexpected network activity
Unknown applications running
Browser redirects
Disabled security software
Suspicious account activity

Although keyloggers often operate silently, these signs may indicate infection.

How to Detect a Keylogger

You can identify potential keyloggers by:

Running a malware scan.
Monitoring active processes.
Reviewing startup programs.
Checking network activity.
Investigating unusual account behavior.
Using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools.

Modern endpoint security solutions can detect many keylogger variants.

How to Remove a Keylogger

If a keylogger is detected:

Disconnect the device from the network.
Run a full anti-malware scan.
Remove or quarantine suspicious files.
Change passwords from a clean device.
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Monitor accounts for unauthorized activity.

Organizations may also need incident response support for widespread infections.

Keylogger Prevention Checklist

✓ Install reputable endpoint protection

✓ Keep software updated

✓ Avoid suspicious email attachments

✓ Download software only from trusted sources

✓ Enable multi-factor authentication

✓ Use password managers

✓ Monitor account activity regularly

✓ Conduct security awareness training

✓ Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR)

✓ Perform routine malware scans

Keylogger vs Spyware

Keylogger	Spyware
Records keystrokes	Monitors broader user activity
Primarily steals credentials	Collects various types of data
Focuses on keyboard input	Can monitor browsing and system activity
Considered a type of spyware	Broader malware category

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a keylogger used for?

A keylogger records keyboard activity and is commonly used to steal passwords, banking information, and sensitive credentials.

Is a keylogger a virus?

No. A keylogger is typically classified as spyware, although it may be distributed through viruses, Trojans, or other malware.

Can antivirus software detect keyloggers?

Yes. Most modern antivirus and endpoint security solutions can detect and remove known keylogger threats.

How do keyloggers get installed?

They commonly spread through phishing emails, malicious downloads, software vulnerabilities, and Trojan malware.

Are keyloggers illegal?

Unauthorized use of keyloggers to monitor individuals or steal information is generally illegal in many jurisdictions.

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