What is Keylogging Malware and How to Protect Yourself

What is keylogging malware?

Keylogging malware is a type of malicious software designed to record and monitor the keys pressed on a keyboard without the user's knowledge or consent. Keylogging malware can be surreptitiously installed on a computer or device through a variety of methods, such as phishing emails, software vulnerabilities, or social engineering tactics.

Once installed, keylogging malware can track every keystroke made by the user, including sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and other confidential data.

The tracked and recorded information is then transmitted back to the attacker, who can use it for a variety of nefarious purposes, such as identity theft, financial fraud, and other cybercrimes.

Keylogging malware can be particularly dangerous because it operates in the background, often going undetected by the user. It can also bypass many antivirus and security software programs, making it difficult to detect and remove. But we'll get to that a little later after we've answered how to check for a keylogger.

Is keylogging software legal?

It kind of sits in a gray area. The keylogging software itself is legal, but it depends on the intent of its use. That, the context, and what is done with the information recorded can push keyloggers into the realms of illegal and/or unethical.

First, let's look at a few situations in which keylogging software can be used legally.

We should mention though, that even if it is legal, there is a gray area of ethics. This can depend on the context and your personal opinion on a certain situation as we'll explain below.

Legal uses of keyloggers

Law enforcement investigations: Law enforcement agencies may use keylogging software as part of an investigation into criminal activity. However, this is typically done with a warrant or court order, and only in specific circumstances. But depending on the context, this could still be considered a gross violation of a person's privacy.

Parental monitoring: Parents may use keylogging software to monitor their children's online activity, particularly if they are concerned about their safety or well-being. That said, it's also important to respect children's privacy and only use keyloggers in appropriate situations. This might depend on the age of the child too. Keylogging a 12-year-old just new to the internet vs. keylogging a 17-year-old might have very different reactions. One could be seen as a suitable safety measure, and the other overstepping the line into an invasion of privacy.

Employer monitoring: Some employers use keylogging software to monitor employees' computer activity, particularly if they work remotely, in sensitive roles, or handle confidential information. This may be legal but can seriously encroach on an individual's privacy, especially if they are not made aware of the monitoring.

We've covered employee monitoring in our article: Is Your Employer Spying on You? The Truth About Bossware.

Illegal uses of keyloggers

Cybercrime: Cybercriminals use keylogging software to steal sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, and personal data. They can then use the stolen data in further criminal activities such as account takeover attacks, and different types of fraud including identity fraud.

Spying on spouses or partners: Keylogging is often a component of stalkerware that allows someone to monitor a spouse or partner's activity without their knowledge or consent. This is illegal pretty much everywhere and can result in criminal consequences.

Violating privacy: Using keylogging software to monitor someone's activity without their knowledge or consent is a violation of their privacy, which can be a criminal offense even if the person recording the details doesn't do anything with it.

What are the risks of keyloggers?

So, we know from answering “what is keylogging malware?” that a bad actor can basically see every single thing we do on our device. But what kind of risks does that open us up to?

• Identity theft: Keyloggers can record usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers which criminals can use to perform identity theft.
• Financial fraud: Access to banking credentials and other financial information means keylogging malware can easily be used to commit financial fraud such as transferring funds or making unauthorized purchases.
• Unauthorized access: Using the credentials recorded through keylogging, cybercriminals can gain access to emails, social media accounts, or work documents. This can allow them to steal confidential info or carry out other malicious activities.
• System compromise: Keylogging malware is often used as a tool to gain deeper access to a system or network, allowing attackers to install other malware or steal additional information.
• Privacy invasion: Keylogging malware can be used to monitor and record everything a user does on a computer, including their personal conversations and other private information. This information can be used against the victim as blackmail or leaked to the public, ruining their reputation, and affecting their professional or personal life.

How do keyloggers get on a device in the first place?

If you use a computer provided by your employer, then they may have already installed a keylogging program on it before handing it over to you. You can check your company policy, or contract, or with the HR department to find out if they use monitoring software. But they might not tell you, even if you ask nicely.

But how does the cyber criminal manage to infect your device with keylogging malware?

Well, these bad actors will often use social engineering methods such as phishing emails, SMS messages (smishing), or malicious websites or pop-ups to trick you into downloading the keylogging software.

A keylogger can also be installed manually onto your device if someone has physical access to it, but even that's not necessary. Keylogging software can also be installed remotely with the right technical knowledge. There are also hardware keyloggers that can be connected to your PC or laptop.

How to check for a keylogger

If you suspect that someone is logging your keystrokes, first check your PC or laptop for any physical keyloggers. These can be in the form of a USB stick, a PS2 cable, or a wall charger which can be bought for a few dollars on popular e-commerce sites.

Check the ports and plugs around your computer, if you see something you don't recognize or that wasn't there before, it could be a hardware keylogger. But keylogger software isn't quite so easy to spot.

Here are some steps you can take to check for a keylogger on your device:

Run a malware scan

Use reputable anti-virus and anti-malware software to scan your computer for malicious software, including keyloggers. Make sure your software is up to date and run a full system scan.

Check your running processes

Use the Task Manager (Windows), System Monitor (Linux), or Activity Monitor (Mac) to check for any suspicious processes that may be running on your device. Keyloggers are often hidden under innocuous-sounding names, so you may need to do some research to identify them.

Look for suspicious files

The next step in how to check for a keylogger is to check your computer's file system for any suspicious files or folders. You can use a file manager program to search for files that were recently created or modified. If you do find something that is unknown to you, do an online search to see if it is known keylogging software.

Check your network connections

Some keyloggers may send data to a remote server, so check your network connections for any suspicious activity. You can use network monitoring software or your device's built-in network tools to look for unusual traffic.

Monitor your device's behavior

If you suspect that someone may have physically installed a keylogger on your device, monitor its behavior for any signs of tampering. For example, if your keyboard or mouse starts acting strangely, or if your device is rebooting unexpectedly, it may be a sign that someone is accessing it remotely.

How to remove keylogging malware?

So you learned how to check for a keylogger and unfortunately, you found what you were looking for. So, now what? Well, the next natural question is how do you remove keylogging malware from your computer?

If you're not so tech-savvy, you may need to seek the help of a cybersecurity professional. Removing keylogging malware can be a difficult and time-consuming process, as it often involves identifying and removing multiple components of the malware.

One word of warning though...

Once you do remove the keylogging malware, whoever installed it is going to know. So, if you're in a situation that could turn nasty or violent in any way, then it might be better to leave it in place and seek professional help. The National Cybersecurity Alliance has published tips on how to get assistance without deleting keyloggers.

If you've discovered keylogging in the form of employee monitoring software, then removing it could get you into trouble with the boss, so proceed with caution.

Otherwise, here are some general steps you can take to remove keylogging malware from your device:

Disconnect from the internet: Keylogging malware typically needs to communicate with a remote server to send the data it collects. By disconnecting your device from the internet, you can prevent the malware from sending any further data.

Use anti-malware software: A good anti-malware program can help you detect and remove keylogging malware from your device. Make sure to choose reputable anti-malware software (avoid the free stuff) and update it with the latest virus definitions before running a scan.

Delete suspicious files: If you know the name or location of the keylogging malware, you can try manually deleting the files associated with it. However, be cautious when deleting files if you're not sure what they are, as you don't want to accidentally delete important system files.

Disable suspicious programs: If you've checked your device's task manager or system monitor and found a suspicious program then click on “Disable” to stop it from recording.

Reset your device: If you're unable to remove the keylogging malware using any of the above steps, you may need to reset your device to its factory settings. This will erase all data on your device, so before you do it, make sure to back up any important files.

What to do after removing keylogger malware?

After removing the keylogging malware, it's important to change your passwords for all your accounts even if you don't think they have been compromised. It's better to be safe than sorry!

Going forward, monitor your financial accounts for any suspicious activity. Or even better yet, put a credit freeze on your accounts so that no one can apply for credit in your name. You can freeze and unfreeze at any time and doing so just gives you greater peace of mind.

Can smartphones or mobile devices be infected with keylogging malware?

Yes, smartphones and mobile devices can also be infected with keylogging malware. In fact, keyloggers targeting mobile devices are on the rise, particularly those running on the Android operating system.

Mobile keyloggers work in a similar way to desktop keyloggers, recording every keystroke made on the device and sending the data to a remote server. Mobile keyloggers also end up on your device in the same ways, either from clicking on a malicious link in a phishing email or being added manually. They are also equally difficult to detect and remove.

How to check for a keylogger on your smartphone

Checking for a keylogger on a smartphone can be a bit more challenging than on a computer. However, here are some ways to check for a keylogger on your smartphone:

• Check for unusual behavior: If your smartphone is behaving oddly, such as slowing down, taking longer to start, or showing unusual pop-ups, it could indicate the presence of a keylogger.
• Look for suspicious apps: Keyloggers may be disguised as legitimate apps, so it's essential to keep an eye out for any suspicious apps that you haven't installed or that you don't recognize.
• Install anti-malware software: Installing anti-malware software on your smartphone can help detect and remove any malicious software that may be present, including keyloggers.
• Check your phone's permissions: Make sure to review the permissions that apps have on your smartphone. If an app has access to your microphone or keyboard, it could be recording your keystrokes.
• Reset your phone: If you suspect a keylogger is present on your phone, you may want to consider resetting your phone to its factory settings. This will erase all data on your phone, including any keyloggers that may be present.

How to protect your smartphone from keylogging malware

To protect your mobile device from keylogging malware, it's important to follow these best practices:

• Only download apps from reputable sources such as the Google Play Store or Apple App Store
• Keep your operating system and apps up to date with the latest security patches
• Use anti-malware software on your mobile device and run regular scans
• Be cautious of suspicious emails, links, and attachments, and don't click on anything that seems suspicious
• Use strong, unique passwords for all your accounts, and consider using a password manager to keep them secure
• Monitor your financial accounts and other sensitive data for any signs of unauthorized activity

Protect yourself against keylogging malware

Keylogging malware poses a significant threat not only to your computer but to your finances, your security, and your personal privacy. With the ability to record every keystroke made on a computer or device, victims are at risk of identity theft, financial fraud, and account takeover attacks. Learning what is keylogging malware and how to check for a keylogger are the proactive steps you can take to help safeguard your digital life.

For more tips on how to protect your personal data and your privacy check out our article: 10 Ways To Improve Your Privacy Online.