Introduction of Keylogger

Do you know about “What Is A Keylogger?” If not, then you need to know about it for real. That is because it can easily track your working steps without your consent. Several organizations even try to use this tech to pry on their employees’ work.

In the end, we will introduce you to a reputed training institute offering a dedicated training program related to ethical hacking skills. What are we waiting for? Let’s get straight to the topic!

What Is A Keylogger?

Keyloggers are surveillance devices that record (or "log") keyboard keystrokes, usually without the user's awareness. It could be a real hardware device that connects the keyboard to the computer or a piece of software that is loaded on the computer.

Keyloggers are frequently used maliciously to obtain private data, including credit card numbers, usernames, and passwords. Let’s take a closer look at “What Is A Keylogger?”

Types Of Keyloggers

S.No.	Types	What?
1.	Keyboard Hardware Keylogger (Inline)	The keyboard cord and the computer's USB or PS/2 connector are connected by a tiny adapter or gadget. All keystrokes are secretly stored in its internal memory.
2.	Keyboard Firmware/ Internal Keylogger	Since keylogging circuitry or altered firmware is integrated right into the keyboard, it is very difficult to detect by visual inspection.
3.	Wireless Sniffer Keylogger	A gadget that attempts to decrypt keystrokes by capturing the radio frequency signals sent by a wireless keyboard to its receiver.
4.	Acoustic Keylogger	A sophisticated, non-contact technique that deduces what was typed by examining the faint sounds made by each keystroke.
5.	API-Based Keylogger	The most prevalent kind. Before the keystrokes reach the appropriate application, it "hooks" into the OS's Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), which handle keyboard input.
6.	Kernel-Level Keylogger	A more sophisticated and covert kind that infiltrates the operating system's kernel, or core. As a result, it has the most privileges and is very challenging for security programs to identify and eliminate.
7.	Form-Grabbing Keylogger	This records the information (such as credit card numbers or passwords) entered into web forms before it is encrypted and transmitted over the internet, rather than the actual keystrokes.
8.	Screen-Scraping/ Visual Keylogger	Takes periodic screen captures to record virtual keyboard usage or other on-screen information, particularly when a new window or password entry field is open.
9.	JavaScript Keylogger (Browser-Based)	A malicious script that is inserted into a website (usually using Cross-Site Scripting or an unsafe advertising network) that collects keystrokes when the user is interacting with that particular webpage.

How Are Keyloggers Constructed?

In the following ways, keyloggers are constructed:

Hardware Construction (Circuit): To read and store the data stream that travels between the keyboard and the computer, a tiny microcontroller chip and non-volatile memory are integrated into an adapter or cable.
API Hooking (Software): The application intercepts messages delivered from the keyboard device driver to the user interface layer of the target application using functions such as SetWindowsHookEx.
Kernel-Level Filtering (Software): Deep within the operating system, a malicious driver—typically a component of a rootkit is installed to intercept and log keyboard data at the lowest level before the operating system processes it.
Form Grabbing/Browser-Based (Software): When the user clicks "submit" or the appropriate browser function is used, malicious code, typically JavaScript, is introduced into the page to capture the contents of the form field.
Stealth and Exfiltration Module: One module encrypts and regularly sends the collected log file to a remote attacker via email or an FTP server, while another module conceals the keylogger's files and activities.

How to Detect A Keylogger?

S.No.	Types	What?
1.	Run a Deep Antivirus/ Anti-Malware Scan	To find known keylogger signatures, thoroughly search all system files and memory using a reliable, current security application.
2.	Inspect Running Processes & Startup Programs	Examine the system's starting items and look for any strange processes or apps operating in the background in the Task Manager (or Activity Monitor).
3.	Perform a Physical Inspection of Connections	Visually inspect the vicinity of your keyboard and computer ports, paying particular attention to USB and PS/2, for any odd or dubious-looking physical devices or inline adapters.
4.	Monitor Network Activity	To find odd outgoing network connections or huge, recurring data transmissions to unfamiliar IP addresses, use a firewall or network monitor.
5.	Look for System Performance and Typing Lag	Keep an eye out for any obvious slowdowns, frequent crashes, or a notable lag between keystrokes and the screen's matching character.

How Keyloggers Attack Your Device?

In the following ways, keyloggers attack your device:

● Phishing Emails and Attachments: The keylogger is frequently downloaded when a user clicks on a misleading link in a phishing email or concealed inside a malicious attachment (such as a fake invoice).

● Malicious Downloads/ Bundling: The keylogger is included with software that seems authentic (such as a cracked application or free game) that has been downloaded from unreliable sources.

● Drive-by Downloads: When a person accesses a malicious or compromised website that takes advantage of flaws in the operating system or browser, the malware is secretly downloaded and installed.

● Physical Installation (Hardware): A small piece of hardware, such as a small adaptor, is plugged between the keyboard cable and the computer port by an attacker with temporary physical access.

● Intercepting Keystrokes (API Hooking): Before the program processes keyboard input events, the software "hooks" onto the operating system's keyboard APIs to listen for and record them.

● Kernel-Level Access: In order to intercept keystrokes at the lowest level of the operating system, highly advanced keyloggers disguise themselves as malicious kernel-level drivers. This makes them incredibly covert.

● Data Storage and Stealth: The keylogger process is hidden or operates under a benign system name, and the encrypted keystrokes (passwords, messages, etc.) are saved in a hidden log file on the device.

● Exfiltrating the Log: Using techniques like email, FTP, or a Command and Control (C2) server, the keylogger regularly transmits the stolen log file to a distant attacker via the internet.

Problems Caused By Keyloggers

S.No.	Types	What?
1.	Credential Theft/ Account Takeover	They directly result in unlawful access and account takeover by stealing usernames and passwords for corporate networks, social media, banking, and email.
2.	Financial Fraud	They let attackers carry out illegal transfers and transactions by logging bank login information, credit card details, and PINs input on payment gateways.
3.	Identity Theft	They give thieves the information they need to perpetrate identity fraud by gathering private communications, addresses, and personal information such as Social Security numbers.
4.	Corporate Espionage/ Data Breach	They cause a substantial loss of intellectual property for businesses by capturing critical communications, trade secrets, and private papers.
5.	Compromise of Sensitive Communications	They seriously violate one's personal or professional privacy by recording the contents of private emails, instant messages, and chats.
6.	Further Malware Infection	In order to provide the attacker more control and access to the system, keyloggers are frequently combined with other malware, such as rootkits or Remote Access Trojans (RATs).
7.	Undermined Security Tools	To remain persistent and evade discovery, some sophisticated keyloggers are made to turn off firewalls, antivirus programs, and security upgrades.
8.	System Performance Degradation	System slowdowns and visible typing lag can result from the keylogger's use of CPU and network resources for keystroke logging, data encryption, and log extraction.

How To Protect My Devices From Keylogging?

You can protect your devices from keylogging in the following ways:

a) Use Specialized Security Tools: To identify and stop harmful keyloggers, install and update a firewall and high-quality antivirus/anti-malware software on a regular basis.

b) Employ Alternative Input Methods: To enter sensitive information without using actual keystrokes, use a password manager's autofill feature or an on-screen or virtual keyboard.

c) Strengthen Account Security: All important accounts should have Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) enabled so that an attacker cannot use a stolen password alone.

d) Practice Safe Online Habits: Avoid downloading files from unreliable sites or clicking on dubious links, as these are the most popular ways to install keyloggers.

e) Protect Against Hardware Keyloggers: Before using a computer, especially one that is in a public place, physically check the keyboard and USB ports for any odd devices or adapters.

Conclusion

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During the training sessions, students will be able to understand how Keylogger is used and how to protect themselves against such attacks if they get targeted with it. Moreover, online sessions will facilitate students in remote learning.

After the completion of the Web Application Security Course with AI in Delhi, offered by Craw Security, students will be able to get a dedicated certificate validating their honed knowledge & skills during the sessions. What are you waiting for? Contact, Now!

Frequently Asked Questions

About What Is A Keylogger?

Can a keylogger be detected?

Yes, sophisticated anti-malware software, manual checks for questionable processes, and physical inspection of hardware devices can all be used to identify keyloggers.

Can keyloggers see your screen?

In order to record information that cannot be inputted using the keyboard, including photos or on-screen keyboard input, modern keyloggers frequently have the ability to take screenshots or record your screen on a regular basis.

How do I turn off the keylogger?

In the following ways, you can turn off the keylogger:

a) Check for Hardware Keyloggers (Physical Inspection),

b) Run a Full Antivirus/Anti-Malware Scan,

c) Manually Check Running Processes and Programs,

d) Disconnect from the Internet and Reset Passwords, and

e) Perform a System Reset (If All Else Fails).

What software is used to detect keyloggers?

Antivirus and anti-spyware software, frequently in conjunction with specialized anti-keylogger tools, is the main software used to identify keyloggers.

Are keyloggers difficult to remove?

Some keyloggers are simple to delete with regular anti-malware software, while others, particularly sophisticated or "kernel-based" ones, can be extremely difficult to identify and completely eradicate.

Do keyloggers show up in Task Manager?

Yes, the majority of keyloggers will show up in Task Manager (or Activity Monitor on a Mac) as an active process, but in order to make themselves difficult to spot, they frequently use names that are confusing or sound authentic.

Can Windows Defender remove keyloggers?

Yes, Windows Defender (Microsoft Defender Antivirus) has an offline scan for persistent threats and uses behavior and signature-based analysis to identify and eliminate the majority of known keyloggers.

Who typically uses keyloggers?

While businesses, parents, and IT departments legitimately use keyloggers for monitoring and debugging, hackers often use them for malevolent objectives, such as stealing passwords and financial data.

How to spot spyware in Task Manager?

Look for unknown process names or processes that use a lot of CPU, memory, or network, and look them up online to verify their legitimacy.

Can a full scan detect a keylogger?

Yes, a thorough scan by trustworthy anti-malware software can usually identify a keylogger by comparing its file signature or identifying its harmful activity; however, extremely complex or recently created keyloggers may occasionally avoid detection.

How do I know if my company is tracking my keystrokes?

If you meet the following conditions, you will be able to learn that your company is tracking your keystrokes:

a) Check for Notice/ Policy,

b) Unusual System Performance,

c) Suspicious Processes in Task Manager (or Activity Monitor on Mac),

d) High or Unexplained Network Activity, and

e) New or Unfamiliar Software/ Changes.

Will Windows Defender detect a keylogger?

Yes, when real-time and cloud-based protection are enabled, Microsoft Defender Antivirus is built to identify and eliminate the majority of known harmful keyloggers using signatures and behavioral analysis.

What Is A Keylogger? Definition And Types [2025]

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