
What is a keylogger and what can you do about it?
- February 04, 2021
- by
- Redaktion
A keylogger is a type of spyware designed to monitor and record keystrokes made on a computer by a user. This form of insidious attack is one of the oldest and most popular cyber threats. A key logger (or keystroke logger) records information as your type them with your keyboard and sends it to a third party (usually the hacker that installed the spyware on your device).
A keylogger is typically used by hackers to harvest sensitive information and personal data. This can be anything from your account passwords to the credit-card information you type. It records every keyboard stroke you type on your computer and sends it to a remote server belonging to the attacker.
What can you do about a keylogging attack?
Keyloggers operate in the background and can be very difficult to detect. This means, even when you think no one is watching over your shoulder to check the website you log into, your password or account information, a hacker is harvesting all your sensitive information.
The most proactive way to prevent this type of attack in the first place is to prevent a keylogger from being installed on your computer in the first place. Irresponsible computer usage such as downloading files from unknown sources or visiting infected websites is the major thing that puts you at risk of unwittingly picking up a keylogger.
However, if you suspect your computer may be infected with a keylogger already, here are some things you can do:
- Check your system for unwanted programs or software you do not recognize and have it deleted.
- Use a virtual/on-screen keyboard when you need to enter sensitive information into your computer.
- Use a password manager that automatically enters passwords when you need to input them.
- Use a powerful anti-virus with a strong internet security suite to protect your PC from malware and prevent cyberattacks.