What is a Keylogger?

Keylogging, whether by malware or hardware, offers a substantial concern by secretly collecting keystrokes as users type. This collected data is then sent to a hacker-controlled site, allowing unauthorised access to important information such as usernames and passwords.

Keyloggers jeopardise human and organisational security by covertly tracking every keystroke, facilitating identity theft, financial fraud, and other criminal cyber activities.

Putting in place strong security measures and being aware of these subtle attacks are crucial for protecting against the pervasive threat that keyloggers offer.

How Do Keyloggers Function?

1. Physical Placement: Keyloggers can be deployed covertly into systems using techniques like video surveillance or hardware flaws that are subtly placed into keyboards, allowing real-time recording of keystrokes.
2. Software Interception: Software keyloggers are designed to change system drivers, filter drivers in the keyboard stack, or record kernel and dynamic link library (DLL) events in order to intercept keyboard input.
3. Covert Operation: Keyloggers secretly capture every keystroke made on a computer or mobile device while functioning covertly within the operating system. They can obtain a variety of private data, including documents, emails, and instant chats.
4. Kernel-Level Functionality: Keyboard signals are intercepted by software keyloggers, which function at the kernel level of the operating system. All written data is then secretly delivered to hackers for their use.

Ways to Detect a Keylogger

1. Anti-Malware Software: Make use of trustworthy anti-virus tools that routinely check your computer for keyloggers and other types of malware.
2. Task Manager: Keep an eye on any suspicious background processes in your system’s Task Manager, as keyloggers frequently function covertly.
3. Firewall Logs: Examine your firewall logs for any unauthorised connections leaving your system. These could be signs of keylogger activity trying to send data.
4. System File Integrity Checks: Do regular integrity checks on your system files to look for any unauthorised changes that might point to the existence of a keylogger.
5. Keystroke Encryption: Employ programs or devices that encrypt keystrokes prior to them entering the operating system to increase the difficulty of keyloggers obtaining private data.
6. Physical Inspection: Examine your keyboard and computer physically for any hidden hardware keyloggers that may have been installed.
7. Network Monitoring: Keep an eye out for any odd patterns or unauthorised data transmissions in network traffic that can point to keylogger activity.
8. Regular System Scans: Use different anti-malware tools to perform routine system scans to guarantee thorough identification of keyloggers and other harmful software.

How can iZOOlogic help my Company or Organisation?

Find out how iZOOlogic can protect you against keylogger threats with the Threat Visualisation solutions.

To find out more about how iZOOlogic can help protect your company’s cyber security, schedule a demo.