Keylogger is a type of software or hardware device used by individuals or organizations to track and monitor the activity of a computer user. It records all keystrokes made and stores the data for later examination, such as for security or parental control purposes. In its most basic form, a keylogger records all the keystrokes entered on a keyboard, including passwords, emails, and computer-generated data.
Keyloggers can be either software or hardware. Software keyloggers use a program or script that records keystrokes; hardware keyloggers connect physical hardware in between the keyboard and the computer, thus allowing them to record all strokes entered. Keyloggers can be installed on a target computer unbeknownst to the user, or even transmitted via malicious email attachments or links in an attempt to gain access to a machine or network.
Keyloggers can be used by organizations to track employee online activities, or by parents to monitor their children’s online behaviors. Keyloggers can also be used maliciously in cases of data theft and cyber-espionage. In such cases, keyloggers can potentially reveal confidential data and/or passwords.
In order to prevent keyloggers from taking advantage of computers, users should employ antivirus software, make sure to download any updates as soon as they become available, and be extra careful when downloading or clicking on any attachment, link, or email from unknown sources. To further secure their data, users can also use two-factor authentication, wherein a user must enter a code sent to his or her smartphone along with a password. Finally, users should also use secure passwords and never save them in the browser itself, setting unique passwords for each website, as well as deleting any suspicious applications or programs from their computers.
