What is Keyloggers ? How to detect and remove Keylogger

A keylogger is a software program or hardware device that runs in the background, recording all the keystrokes. Hackers use keyloggers to steal personal or financial info like bank details, which they can then sell or use for benefits.

Keylogger Definition

Keylogger is a software or hardware device which is used to monitor and store each of the keys a user types into a Laptop or computer keyboard. 

The user who installed the program can view all keys that are typed by the user because these programs and hardware monitor the keys typed in a user can find easily the user's password and other sensitive data a user never wish to other know about that information.

Keyloggers are often used by companies to ensure employees use computers for business purposes only. But unfortunately, keyloggers can also be embedded in spyware allowing your information to be transferred to a third party.

About Keyloggers

A keylogger is a software program or hardware device that runs in the background, recording all the keystrokes. The attacker/hacker can use this information for finding passwords, or possibly other useful information that could be used to compromise the system or be used in another social engineering attack. 

For example, a keylogger will reveal the contents of all emails composed by the user. Keylogger is commonly included in rootkits.

A keylogger generally consists of two files: DLL and Exe:  a DLL which does all the work and an EXE which loads the DLL file and sets the hook.

 

• Some keylogger capture screen, rather than a keystroke.
• Another keylogger will secretly turn on video or audio recorders, and transfer what they capture over your internet.

Also read this: Different Types of Hacking Attacks, Benefits of Ethical Hacking

How to Keyloggers Work 

Keyloggers collect information about the victim and send it back to a third person/party - whether that is a criminal or IT department. The amount of information collected by keylogger software can be different. Basic forms may only collect the information typed into a site or app. 

More complicated ones may record everything you typed no matter the application, including information you copy & paste. Some types of keyloggers record information such as calls, information from messaging applications, location, screengrabs, and microphone and camera phone capture.

Data collected by keyloggers can be sent back to hackers by email or uploading data to predefined sites, databases, or FTP servers. If the keylogger comes bundled within a  big attack, actors might simply remotely log into a machine to download data.

How To Detect And Remove Keyloggers

• There are many types of keyloggers that use different techniques. Keyloggers can manipulate the OS kernel and a task manager is not enough to detect keyloggers. 

• Security software like anti-keylogger programs is designed to scan software-based keyloggers by comparing files against keyloggers. Using anti-keylogger is more effective than antivirus or other security software.

• Disable self-running files on externally connected devices such as USBs and restricting the copying of files to and from external to computers may also reduce the possibility of infection.

• Virtual screen keyboards reduce the chance of being keylogged as they input information in a different way to a physical keyboard.

• The best way to stay safe is that their password policy is multi-faceted and that two-factor authentication is implemented across company accounts and devices

Keyloggers could be which boasts these features :

1. Invisible in-process list.
2. Text snapshots of active applications.
3. Keystroke / password logging.
4. Includes kernel keylogger driver that captures keystrokes even when user is logged off.
5. Active window titles and process names logging.
6. ProBot program files and registry entries are hidden.
7. Includes Remote Deployment wizard.
8. Launched applications list.
9. Regional keyboard support.
10. Keylogging in NT console windows.
11. Automatic E-mail log file delivery
12. HTML and Text log file export
13. Workstation user and timestamp recording
14. Files and Folders creation/removal logging
15. Password authentication
16. Log files archiving, separate log files for each user
17. Log files secure encryption
18. Native GUI session log presentation
19. Capture HTTP POST data (including logins/passwords)
20. Invisible operation
21. Easy log file reports with Instant Viewer 2 Web interface
22. Visited Internet URL loggers
23. Easy setup and uninstall wizards

Some Famous Keyloggers :

1. Actual Spy

2. Golden Keylogger

3. Remote Keylogger

4. Home Keylogger

5. Soft Central Keylogger

6. Stealth Keyboard.

Thank You.