Updated on: August 23, 2024
A keylogger (short for keystroke logger) is a tool that records everything you type on your keyboard. There are legitimate uses for keyloggers, like employers monitoring work activity or parents keeping their children safe. However, keyloggers are often exploited by hackers as stalkerware and used to steal sensitive information like passwords and credit card details.
Keyloggers can take the form of software running silently on a computer or hardware attached to a device. Either way, when active, they will log every keystroke a victim makes and transmit the information to a third party. As you can probably guess, if you’re affected by a keylogger, your personal information isn’t safe.
But there’s good news. Most keyloggers are software-based, and there are simple ways to protect yourself from them. One of the best methods is to use reliable antivirus software. There are a few great options, including Norton, that excel at detecting and blocking keyloggers with advanced real-time threat detection and removal capabilities.
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What Are the Risks of Keyloggers?
Keyloggers record and transmit everything you do with your keyboard. That includes every word you type — even words you type and then delete.
Using keyloggers, cybercriminals can quickly intercept:
- Passwords and security answers.
- Contact details.
- Credit card information.
- Personal information.
- Intimate secrets outlined in email messages.
- Anything else you type.
Fortunately, there are some simple ways to keep your devices safe from keyloggers. You can learn how to protect yourself using my guide.
More About Keyloggers
Keyloggers are an extremely common piece of technology. They’ve been all over the internet for many years and have affected millions of people, resulting in untold damage. If you suspect that your keystrokes are being recorded, first make sure that it’s not for one of the following legitimate reasons:
- Hotkeys or “key commands” exist in lots of legitimate software. These programs require keyloggers to know when you’re using a specific command.
- Keyboard toggles allow you to change your keyboard if you write in multiple languages.
- Parents can use a keylogger to track their children’s online activity for safety reasons.
- Company security systems and workplace monitoring tools often log employees’s keystrokes to increase security or to track productivity.
If you think you may have a keylogger, consider whether it’s malicious or whether one of these situations could apply to you. There are many commercially available tools out there that many antiviruses won’t flag as malware.
If none of the above situations apply, but you still see the signs of a keylogger, you might have a malware infection. This type of software gives cybercriminals direct access to your most sensitive personal data. For hackers, keyloggers are the ‘Holy Grail’ for financial gain, identity theft, and more, so it’s important to have software that’s able to identify and remove keyloggers.
Common Sources of Keylogger Infections
This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means — but these are the most common sources of keylogger infections:
Phishing Emails and Scams
Phishing emails are a common way hackers spread keyloggers. These deceptive messages often mimic trusted sources, urging you to click links or download attachments.
Key signs include generic greetings, urgent requests for personal info, and links with suspicious URLs. Other signs include odd email domains like “support21xxyw@hotmail.com” instead of something like “support@YourBank.com”. Always inspect the sender’s address for slight alterations or misspellings and hover over links to preview their actual destination.
Unexpected attachments or download prompts in emails are major red flags. Legitimate companies rarely send unsolicited files. If you receive unexpected attachments or download links from unknown sources, they could be hiding keyloggers.
Malicious Links and Websites
Malicious links and compromised websites can also lead to keylogger infections. They can appear in emails, social media posts, or even on legitimate-looking websites. Hover over links to check where a URL will lead before clicking and be wary of shortened links that mask their true destination.
Compromised sites often show signs of insecurity like missing SSL or TLS certificates (make sure the URL starts with HTTPS), excessive pop-ups, or unexpected download prompts. If a website asks for sensitive information without a clear reason, it might be a trap to deploy keyloggers.
Trojan Horse Software
Keyloggers can be hidden within seemingly legitimate applications. You could get one after downloading free programs from untrusted sources. When malware is bundled with legitimate programs, it’s called a Trojan.
Watch for software that appears unexpectedly on your system or asks for excessive permissions. These programs might be Trojans, so look out for system slowdowns, crashes, or unusual network activity.
Check any new application’s publisher details and reviews before installing it. Suspicious permissions and unexpected system behavior can be signs of Trojans carrying keyloggers. Scrutinize these indicators to detect and avoid Trojan horse software.
Hardware Keyloggers
In addition to sketchy downloads, keyloggers also come in the form of physical devices plugged into your computer. Spotting them involves inspecting your device’s physical connections. Look for unfamiliar memory sticks or extra devices plugged into USB slots or other ports.
Changes in keyboard performance, like unresponsive keys or typing delays, can also indicate a hardware keylogger. Regularly check your keyboard connections and functionality for any unusual signs that might reveal a hidden keylogger.
The good news is that hardware keyloggers are very rare. Unless you have a sensitive job, it’s unlikely that someone will attach one of these devices on your computer — especially if you don’t leave it unattended in public places.
How to Spot a Keylogger
Keyloggers are a huge threat that you’ll want to watch out for. Fortunately, I’ve outlined some great ways to spot them easily:
- General slowdown in performance. Watch for frequent bugs, lag, and crashes that affect your device’s speed and functionality. These disruptions are often caused by keyloggers consuming system resources in the background.
- Typing delays. Noticeable delays when typing, where keystrokes take a few seconds to appear or don’t register at all, can indicate a keylogger. This lag occurs because the keylogger is intercepting and recording your keystrokes before they reach your screen. Typing delays can be normal, but if it’s something you’re experiencing consistently, there could be a keylogger involved.
- Error screens or graphics issues. Unexpected error screens or problems with loading graphics may be symptoms of a hidden keylogger. Such issues can arise when a keylogger interferes with your system’s normal operations.
- Compromised accounts. If you notice unusual activity on any of your accounts, it’s possible that hackers have used a keylogger to steal your passwords. They may even change your passwords, so you can no longer log in. If this is the case, the keylogger has already done significant damage but it will still need to be stopped.
- Unknown processes. Check your Activity Monitor on Mac or Task Manager on Windows for unfamiliar or suspicious processes running in the background. These hidden processes can be keyloggers silently recording your activities and sending data to malicious actors.
- Security software alerts. Investigate further if your antivirus software, like Norton or Bitdefender, flags any issues, as this might signal a keylogger. These alerts are critical, since advanced security tools can detect even well-hidden keyloggers that are not visible to the naked eye.
Tips to Protect Yourself from Keyloggers
Now that you know what to look out for and the common routes of keylogger infections, let’s go over the steps you can take to avoid getting one on your device.
Avoid High-Risk Domains (And Be Wary of What You Click On)
Certain websites are notorious for hosting malware, including keyloggers. Domains to steer clear of include those related to P2P file-sharing, pornography, and others. Some examples include 1337x.to, thepiratebay.org, pornhub.com, xvideos.com, and virtually any site related to online gambling.
These sites often lack security measures and can be breeding grounds for infections. If you must use these types of sites, opt for well-reviewed and trusted ones to minimize risks and protect yourself with an antivirus. Always be wary of sudden download prompts or redirects when browsing these domains, as they are often signs of malicious activity.
Additionally, watch out for other red flags like pop-up ads, URL redirects, random, unsolicited download requests, and requests for your email and other personal information.
Implement Two-Factor Authentication
While spotting keyloggers is difficult, you can make their job harder by using two-factor authentication (2FA). This security measure requires you to provide 2 forms of verification to access your accounts, such as a password and a code sent to your phone.
With 2FA enabled, even if a keylogger captures your password, hackers won’t be able to gain unauthorized access to your accounts. Wherever possible, enable 2FA on all your important accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access due to keyloggers.
Use an Onscreen Keyboard
Using an onscreen keyboard can help thwart keyloggers when entering sensitive information, such as banking details. Unlike physical keyboards, onscreen keyboards input data in a way that many keyloggers can’t capture. Most operating systems include an onscreen keyboard, usually found in the program accessories or settings menu.
Some antivirus programs, like Bitdefender, also offer virtual keyboards specifically designed for secure input. Use these tools whenever you need to enter confidential information.
Pick a Powerful Antivirus
Top-quality antivirus programs are ideal for flagging infections. Premium services keep up-to-date on new threats so they can spot most keyloggers automatically. Not only will these programs keep you safe from keyloggers, but they will also protect you from most other malware types at the same time.
How to Remove Keyloggers
Detecting a keylogger is the most difficult part of the process. The good news is that, once you’ve confirmed that your device has been infected with one, it’s really simple to remove it.
Here are the steps you should take:
- Use antivirus software. Run a full system scan with a reputable antivirus program (Norton is the best) to detect and remove any keyloggers. Always keep your antivirus software updated with the latest definitions to effectively catch the newest threats.
- Update your operating system and software. Regularly update your operating system and all installed software to patch vulnerabilities that keyloggers might exploit. Keeping your system current helps prevent keyloggers from persisting or re-infecting your device.
- Check for and remove suspicious programs. Review your device’s installed programs through the control panel or settings. Uninstall any software that appears unfamiliar or that you don’t recall installing, as these could be keyloggers in disguise.
- Restore your system to a previous state. Use the system restore feature to revert your computer to a state before the keylogger infection. This should remove it, but I only recommend taking this action as a last resort, as it can result in huge data loss. Even then, you’ll need some technical skills to do this properly.
Bottom Line
Keyloggers are a terrifying invasion of your privacy and could have disastrous consequences. If you’re lax about your online security, then you face a much greater risk of infection.
Following the above suggestions requires very little work, but these simple steps could be the difference between online safety and a cybercriminal emptying your bank account.
The best way to stay safe is to use two measures: be hyper-vigilant about how your computer is running so that you can pick up any suspicious changes and use security software to scan your computer for threats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a keylogger?
Keyloggers are a type of malware that records a victim’s keystrokes. They’ve been around a long time and can cause a lot of damage. Though they’re not likely to harm your device, they are very likely to lead to hacked accounts and stolen credit cards. Given the risks of getting one, you’ll want to look out for signs of infection.
How can I protect myself from keyloggers?
To stay safe, you need to use an antivirus and be careful online. A good antivirus will detect and remove keyloggers automatically, but it’s also a good idea to do your best to avoid them. This involves avoiding compromised websites and being careful when downloading files. If you have a sensitive job or are otherwise a prominent figure, it’s also a good idea to physically inspect your device for unfamiliar external devices due to the threat of hardware keyloggers.
Do I have a keylogger?
It’s possible. Look for the signs to get a better idea of whether you do or don’t. These include slow responses to keyboard inputs, overall poor performance, and hacked accounts. If you’ve been hacked, there’s a good chance you have one, and you should take the necessary steps to remove it right away.
How did keyloggers get installed on my device?
Keyloggers can get on your computer in a number of different ways. Your infection might have been a trojan, a piece of malicious software bundled with something more legitimate. Or it could have come in the form of an email attachment. However you get one on your system, you’ll want to remove it right away, as the risks of having a keylogger are huge.