Malware: Explainer: What is keylogger malware and how to stay safe from it – Times of India

Keylogging is the act of recording people’s keyboard interactions on various devices like laptops, smartphones, etc. While ethical keylogging exists, cybercriminals also use keylogging to steal the personal information of others. As for legal keylogging, they employ a keylogger, also called a keystroke logger, which is a type of software or hardware that stores or keeps all the keys that you press. In the wrong hands, it can be used to steal your sensitive information such as usernames and passwords, credit card information, and even stalking. we will pay attention invalid keylogging in this article.
a keylogger malware Phishing can enter and implant in your system in various ways like emails, Trojans, fake websites, zero day exploits etc. If we talk about hardware-based keyloggers, an example can be keyboard overlays on ATMs. Generally, software-based keylogger attacks are more common.
how to save keylogger malware login to your devices
Here are some ways to stay safe from keylogger malware:

  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) so that you can be sure that only you are going to log in to your account.

  • Avoid downloading files from suspicious sources and don’t click on links without checking what’s in the URL.

  • Use the virtual keyboard when entering banking credentials and other sensitive passwords. This prevents you from using a physical keyboard that has been tampered with.

  • You can also use voice-to-text conversion software to avoid typing on your keyboard.

  • Use a paid antivirus solution to protect yourself from cyberattacks. Look for ones that come with anti-keylogger functionality.

How to detect and remove keyloggers
Signs of a keylogger malware in your system are that your PC/smartphone may overheat and/or slow down, some processes may suddenly fail, new icons may appear on the system tray or desktop, opening an application or Popping up takes an unusually long time. , Etcetera. Here’s how to find the infected file:

  • Check the software you have installed carefully. You may discover one that you do not have installed and it is likely that it is a keylogger malware that has overtaken your system’s security.

  • Check your browser extensions. If you find something in there that you didn’t install, remove it.

  • Run a full system scan using your antivirus if it hasn’t already found malware.

  • If you strongly think that a particular software on your system could be a keylogger, proceed with caution. If it is safe to remove the software, do it. Otherwise, try disabling or uninstalling it.

  • Back up the most important files and do a factory reset if you still have doubts about a keylogger being in your system even after trying everything.