how to protect yourself against keyloggers

Keylogger Typesĭepending on which part of the computer they are embedded into, all keyloggers can be categorized as either software-based or hardware-based. Any unauthorized use of keylogging software is considered illegal in the United States, and the persons responsible for it could serve up to 20 years for wiretapping. Seeing as more than 80 percent of business owners in the United States have admitted to monitoring their employees’ activity in some way, it is safe to assume that the number of active keyloggers is much higher nowadays. Hackers typically distribute this malicious keylogging software via phishing emails that include compromised attachments and/or links to infected websites.Ī survey from 2005 found that more than 15 percent of corporate computers were running some type of keystroke logging software. As far as software-based keyloggers are concerned, unless they are legitimate, they are usually bundled with malware, spyware, or a virus. They can also be hardware-based, in which case they are either built into hardware or available as a separate device. Often erroneously described as malicious software, keyloggers aren’t always software-based. Finally, jealous partners can use keyloggers to track their other half’s online activity. Similarly, business owners and managers can use them to ensure optimal productivity of their staff, as well as to verify that the employees aren’t giving away company secrets. For one, parents can install a keylogger to track what their children are doing online and receive notifications of any unusual activity. Hackers can use this tool to record their target’s browsing activity and obtain their personal information, which they can then use for their own financial gain by blackmailing the target, withdrawing funds from their bank account, or selling the info to other cybercriminals on the dark web.Īlthough they are most often used for malicious purposes, keyloggers can also be used for several relatively legitimate reasons. It normally operates in a covert fashion so that potential victims wouldn’t suspect that their activities are being monitored. A keylogger is a tool or a technology that monitors and logs consecutive keystrokes made on a keyboard.

How to protect yourself against keyloggers