Computers are an indispensable part of our modern lives. We use them to store vast amounts of data — including sensitive and personal information. Everything we type is also registered, such as when logging in to our user accounts and using online banking. This makes it important to protect our devices since keyloggers can secretly record all the information we enter and forward it to third parties. Read on to find out what exactly a keylogger is, how one works, and how you can protect yourself. Also learn how Avira Free Security helps you detect potential threats in real time and eliminate malware.
Definition: What is a keylogger?
The term keylogger is a portmanteau of the words “keystroke” and “logger”. A keylogger can be either a software or a physical device that records keystrokes on a keyboard. These recordings are stored locally on the computer or externally on another device or system. Even though there are some legitimate uses for keyloggers, they’re mostly a type of spyware — a method cybercriminals use to snoop on their victims to obtain confidential data.
Less common applications include the use of keyloggers by companies, parents, or other individuals to monitor employees, children, or others. However, the one inescapable fact is that it’s illegal in most countries to use keyloggers without the consent of the person concerned since it significantly invades their personal and data privacy.
How do keyloggers work?
Keyloggers come in two forms: Software based and hardware based. This means that the recording can be made virtually or at the device’s physical location. In both cases, the goal is to monitor and record keystrokes on a specific keyboard.
What are the main types of keylogger?
Keyloggers work in different ways depending on if they’re software or hardware based.
- Software keyloggers: This is considered to be a form of malware on a computer. The software records the keystrokes on the keyboard unnoticed in the background. This information is stored directly on the PC or sent to an external device or server via the internet.
- Hardware keyloggers: These are physical devices that are connected between the computer and the respective keyboard. Alternatively, the hardware keylogger can also be integrated directly into the keyboard, making it even more difficult for the potential victim to spot.
Let’s take a look at how keyloggers work. You’ll see how sophisticated they are and how easily they can be hidden on your computer:
API-based keyloggers are the most common. The software uses a built-in feature of the operating system (the keyboard API) to keep track of every key you press on the keyboard. Each time you do so, the keyboard sends a message to the program on your computer you’re using to make the letter or number appear on the screen. An API-based keylogger intercepts these messages and stores them. The hacker then simply retrieves the log.
Form loggers record the data from your web forms, such as your full name, home address, email address, phone number, or credit card details. The process begins as soon as you click submit or press enter, and is completed before your form data is submitted to the website.
Kernel-based keyloggers hide in the “kernel” or core of the computer operating system, making them difficult to detect and remove. As you type, your keystrokes pass through the kernel where the keylogger intercepts them. Such keylogging software is difficult to develop and therefore rarer than other types. It’s usually distributed as part of malware packages.
Hardware-based keyloggers tap into the electrical signals generated by the keyboard when you press a key and record what you type. While it’s common to find them built directly into a keyboard, they can also be added to a device using other methods like USB, mini-PCI cards, or even as a physical overlay on top of the keyboard. Here, no software records the keystrokes — the recordings are stored in the device’s internal memory.
Acoustic keyloggers are very complex and therefore rarely used. They take advantage of the fact that each key on your keyboard makes a slightly different sound when pressed. By analyzing these sounds, sophisticated keyloggers can determine what was typed.
How does keylogger malware get onto your device?
Whereas someone always has to install a hardware keylogger at the device’s physical location, traditional software keyloggers can get onto your device in various ways. As such, this form of spyware is much more widespread and threatening than the physical devices that are connected to the keyboard itself. The most common ways a keylogger gets onto a PC include:
- Phishing emails: These are malicious emails that masquerade as legitimate emails. The goal of phishing: To trick recipients into clicking a link that will harm them or their devices. This is done by providing false information and creating a sense of urgency or fear. Alternatively, you might download a file attachment that looks legitimate but which is usually malware.
- Security vulnerabilities: Software is downloaded unnoticed in the background when you visit a malicious website as a result of technical loopholes in the browser or plugins.
- Social engineering: Cybercriminals pose as part of social engineering as another legitimate person. They then try to persuade people into installing malware on their computers through chat messages, emails, or other means.
- External storage media: The keylogger is installed on a computer via USB sticks, CDs, or external hard drives the moment the devices are plugged into the computer or when the CD is started.
- Manual installation: People with direct access to the computer install the malware directly at the device’s physical location.
What are the main areas of application for keyloggers?
Every day, countless keyloggers are used around the world for both illegal and legal purposes. Keyloggers can certainly be a useful tool, but if misused they can significantly infringe on people’s privacy and security. The key areas of application for keyloggers include:
- Cybercrime: Keyloggers are often used to steal confidential and personal data. This data often results in identity theft.
- Security: Companies monitor (with consent) what their employees get up to. In doing so, they ensure that data is treated confidentially and working hours are used efficiently.
- Law enforcement: Security authorities can also monitor criminals and suspects, collecting evidence of criminal acts and planning.
- Education: Parents use keyloggers to monitor what their kids get up to online and what they chat about with others.
How can you tell if you have a keylogger infection?
It’s not that easy to spot a keylogger. However, there are some tell-tale signs that should set off alarm bells in your head. Typical signs include:
- PC runs slower: A keylogger needs computing power. If your PC is responding more slowly and takes ages to complete simple tasks, this could be a sign of malware.
- Unexplained CPU activities: Is your computer using a lot more processing power than it should be, even when it’s not doing anything?
- Unexpected system and error messages: Just like any program, a keylogger can cause issues — which in turn cause their own error messages.
- Unknown files, folders, and programs: Regularly check the programs installed on your computer. Have new files and folders appeared on your hard drive that you have no clue about? Tip: Sort programs and files by the date they were modified.
- Unusual network activity: Are data packets sent without you actively using the internet? This can also be a sign that a keylogger is communicating with an external source.
- Avira Free Security: You always know if there’s malware on your computer thanks to regular scans and real-time monitoring.
Preventative steps and tips to protect yourself from keyloggers
Keyloggers are like all other malware on the internet: If you’re vigilant and avoid taking risks, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of your computer being infected. Follow these tips and methods to be even safer on the internet:
- Be careful with emails: Don’t trust every email you receive. By being cautious, you’re less likely to fall victim to a phishing attack.
- Use reputable download sources: Always download files from trusted sources.
- Use an antivirus program: Use an antivirus program with real-time checks and comprehensive scans that can detect potential threats.
- Use two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication (2FA) provides greater security when logging in to your user accounts. Even if cybercriminals have your password, they can’t log in without the second authentication level (a code generated using an app or sent by email or text message).
- Use an on-screen keyboard: You can use a virtual keyboard to enter super-sensitive details, such as when banking online. On Windows, search for On-Screen Keyboard, while on Mac you can display the Accessibility Keyboard.
- Password manager: A dedicated password manager fills passwords automatically without you needing to enter anything. This means that keyloggers can’t track which login details you used to log in to a website.
- Network security: Only surf on secured networks. It’s a good idea to use a VPN when on public and unsecured networks.
- Restrict your user account: For even greater security, set up an administrator user account that must authorize program installations.
- Regular updates: Make sure that both your operating system and all your programs are always up to date. That way, you ensure security holes are shut promptly and risks are minimized.
Detect keyloggers in real time with Avira Free Security
If you follow our tips and advice, you should be well protected when using the internet. For even stronger shielding, we recommend using Avira Free Security. With our all-in-one solution, you can detect potential threats in real time and remove malware quickly and reliably.
The tool also helps you clean your computer. This allows you to identify and delete unused programs, which also speeds up your system startup time. On top of that, the integrated VPN allows you to surf more securely on public networks without revealing your identity and data to third parties.
