What is Keylogger Malware and how can you protect yourself from it?

The act of recording people’s keyboard interactions on several devices they use such as laptops and cell phones is known as key logging. Although ethical keylogging exists, fraudsters utilize it to obtain personal information from others.

They use a keylogger, also known as the keystroke logger, which is a sort of software or hardware that stores or keeps a track of all the keys you press, similar to legal keylogging. It might be used to steal private information online, such as usernames and passwords, credit card information or even stalking if it falls into the wrong hands.

This post will concentrate on illicit keylogging and measures to avoid it.

Phishing emails, Trojans, bogus websites, zero-day exploits among others, can all be used to introduce keylogger malware into your system. An ATM’s keyboard overlay is a good example when it comes to hardware-based keyloggers. Keylogger assaults that use software are more common.

How can you keep keylogger malware out of your devices?

Here are some tips for avoiding keylogger malware:

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) so you can be assured that only you will log into your account.
• Avoid downloading files from unknown sources and never click on links without validating the URL first.
• When typing banking credentials and other sensitive passwords, make sure to use a virtual keyboard. This prohibits you from typing on a physical keyboard that has been tampered with.
• You can also skip using your keyboard by using voice-to-text conversion software.
• To protect yourself from cyberattacks, invest in a premium antivirus product. Search for the ones that have anti-keylogger capabilities.

Keylogger detection and removal:

Your PC/smartphone may begin to heat uo and/or slow down, some processes may fail unexpectedly, new icons may emerge on the system tray or desktop, starting an application or pop-up may take unusually long time and so on. Here’s how to locate the infected document:

• Examine the applications you’ve installed thoroughly. You may see the one that you did not install, and it is likely a keylogger malware has gotten past your system’s defenses.
• Examine your browser’s add-ons. Remove anything you didn’t install if you discover.
• If your antivirus hasn’t discovered the infection yet, run a thorough system scan with it.
• Proceed with caution if you suspect that a piece of software on your computer is a keylogger. Remove the software provided it is safe to. Otherwise, try disabling or uninstalling it.