What is Keylogger? How to Detect and Remove Keyloggers?

What is a keylogger?

The keylogger is software or hardware that is able to log the keystrokes of a user on a computer. With such a logger it is possible to gain access to confidential data or to spy out passwords.

Keylogger means roughly the logger of the keys. Such a logger can be implemented either in the form of software or hardware. It is able to record all keystrokes and monitor a user, gain access to confidential data or spy out passwords, PINs, and access data. Above all, hackers, government intelligence services, or investigative authorities use this software or hardware.

The logger saves the recorded data either locally on a hard drive, directly in its hardware, or transmits it to a remote server via a network connection. Depending on the variant of the keylogger, it records all data or selectively selected keystrokes. Intelligent algorithms ensure that only relevant data such as passwords are selected during selective recording. Many keyloggers spread over the Internet as malicious code and install themselves unnoticed on the respective target system.

Software-based keyloggers

Software-based keyloggers work between the operating system and a computer's keyboard driver. They take the keystrokes directly from the keyboard driver and send them to both the operating system and the keylogger. Depending on the type, they either save the determined data locally on the hard drive or send it to a specific address on the Internet or network. Software-based loggers are the most common type of keylogger. They are often part of extensive malware to compromise a computer or user that installs itself unnoticed on a computer. Loggers that are designed as an instance or additional software for a browser are also possible. You are able to record all entries in browser windows.

Hardware-based keyloggers

Hardware-based keyloggers are small physical devices that are to be installed between the keyboard and the computer. This requires physical access to the computer. For example, the logger can be equipped with a USB interface on both sides and act as an adapter between the keyboard and the computer's USB socket. It has an integrated memory in which it collects all recorded data. The logger can be evaluated either by removing the device and attaching it to another computer or using special software on the monitored computer itself. Some of the hardware keyloggers have their own radio interface and send the data to a target system via WLAN or Bluetooth. Hardware keyloggers can be used very flexibly,

Legal regulations for the keylogger

Keyloggers may not be used without your consent. Anyone who does this nonetheless makes himself liable to prosecution by spying on data within the meaning of Section 202a of the Criminal Code. If a logger is used on a company computer, both the consent of the works council and the information of the user is required.

How to detect and remove keyloggers

Finding out if you have keylogging software on your PC is difficult as it looks like legitimate programs. How to recognize keyloggers on your computer:

Look for keyloggers in your running processes:

Open Windows Task Manager and look for any suspicious entries. Here is a full overview of all the applications running on your PC. So this method only works if you are tech-savvy enough to recognize the keylogger.

Look for suspicious entries in the activity log of your firewall:

Use a firewall to monitor and control the traffic in and out of your computer. Keyloggers send your data to a remote location, but they need an internet connection to do so. Everything that is sent will therefore show up in your firewall's activity log.

Scan and remove keyloggers with an antivirus program:

Instead of manually going through a long list of applications and processes yourself, scan your computer with an antivirus program or a reliable keylogger detection application. It is the fastest and easiest way to find and remove any suspicious programs on your computer.

But what about keylogging hardware? These are small gadgets that are plugged in between your keyboard and your PC. They often look like adapters and appear to be part of the normal hardware setup. If you don't know what to look for, you would hardly notice them. Make sure to check your keyboard, especially if you're using a public computer, and remove any suspicious-looking bells and whistles.