What Are Keyloggers and How Do You Remove Them?

Keyloggers, also known as keystroke loggers or keyboard capture software, are a type of spyware designed to secretly monitor keyboard input and mouse activity. Once installed on a device, keyloggers can record every keystroke made by a user, which may reveal sensitive information like passwords, credit card details, or private messages.

While keyloggers are often used for malicious purposes like identity theft and fraud, they also have some legitimate uses, such as employee monitoring or parental controls. However, the ethics of using keylogging software, even for legal purposes, remains hotly debated.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about keyloggers, including how they work, how to detect if your device is infected, and most importantly – how to remove keyloggers and prevent future infections.

What Exactly Are Keyloggers?

A keylogger is a type of monitoring software that records keystrokes made on a keyboard. It logs each keystroke in a covert manner, along with the window name and timestamps.

The recorded data is then sent to whoever installed the keylogger, usually via internet transfer or email. This lets them view everything the victim types, including sensitive information like passwords, emails, chat messages, and more.

The Different Types of Keyloggers

There are two main categories of keyloggers:

Software keyloggers: These are programs installed on a device to monitor keystrokes. Some common software keylogger types include:

Kernel keyloggers – Operate at the kernel level of the operating system. Very difficult to detect.
API hook keyloggers – Hook into API functions to intercept keystroke data.
Form-grabbing keyloggers – Specialized to grab data entered into forms.
Cloud keyloggers – Store the logged keystrokes remotely in the cloud. Harder to detect.

Hardware keyloggers: These are physical devices installed between the keyboard and computer to capture keystrokes. Some examples include:

USB keyloggers – Disguised as a normal USB device and plugged into a USB port.
Acoustic keyloggers – Use built-in microphones to record the sounds made by keystrokes.
Wireless keyloggers – Transmit captured data wirelessly via Bluetooth or wireless receiver.

What Information Can Keyloggers Capture?

Keyloggers are capable of recording virtually any information that is typed into a computer or mobile device. This includes:

Usernames and passwords
Emails and messages
Credit card details and other financial information
Website URLs visited by the user
Private documents and files
Clipboard content like copied text
Search engine queries

With access to this data, cybercriminals can steal identities, commit fraud, blackmail victims, or sell the information on the dark web. Businesses are also at risk of intellectual property theft if keyloggers infect their systems.

Where are Keyloggers Installed?

Keyloggers target both traditional computer systems as well as mobile devices:

Windows PCs – The most targeted systems due to high usage. All keylogger types can infect PCs.
Mac computers – Also vulnerable to keyloggers, especially form grabbers and cloud keyloggers.
Smartphones – At risk of having screen logging apps installed to capture taps and swipes.
Public computers – Common targets in places like libraries and cafes. Permits anonymous spying.
Corporate networks – Keyloggers used to steal company data, trade secrets, HR files, etc.

Legal vs. Illegal Uses of Keyloggers

Like any dual-use technology, keyloggers can be utilized for both legitimate and criminal purposes. However, the line between ethical and unethical keylogging is very thin.

Illegitimate Uses of Keyloggers

Keyloggers are most commonly used for illegal spying and malicious hacking, such as:

Identity theft
Corporate espionage
Stealing financial account details
Monitoring spouses or partners suspected of cheating
Harassment and stalking
Spying on business competitors

Installing a keylogger on any device without the owner‘s consent is unethical and illegal in most jurisdictions. It violates privacy laws, allowing cybercriminals to access vast amounts of private information.

Legitimate Uses of Keyloggers

There are some legal uses of keylogging software as well. These include:

Employee monitoring – Companies may use keyloggers to track employee activities on work devices. However, consent and transparency are critical.
Parental control – Parents can install kid-friendly keyloggers on their children‘s devices to monitor their online activities.
Security research – Cybersecurity researchers use keyloggers to study malware behavior and improve intrusion detection.
Law enforcement – Government agencies can legally use keyloggers with a court order for criminal investigations.

However, the ethics of these practices are still debated, even if they are legal in certain contexts. There are often less invasive alternatives that still achieve the same goals.

How Do Keyloggers Spread?

Keyloggers employ many clever infection tactics to spread to new systems and evade detection. Common distribution methods include:

Social Engineering Schemes

Phishing emails – Malicious attachments or links pretend to be legitimate files, tricking users into installing the keylogger themselves.
Fake apps – Mimic popular apps and ask for unnecessary permissions that grant keylogging abilities.
Tech support scams – Trick users into giving remote access to their computer under the guise of "support."

Malware Infections

Trojans – Keyloggers are bundled with Trojan viruses in infected downloads.
Drive-by downloads – Simply visiting a website can trigger an automatic and stealthy keylogger download.
Software vulnerabilities – Exploits in apps or operating systems permit keylogger installation without user interaction.
USB infections – Malicious USB sticks with hidden keyloggers can auto-install when plugged in.

Unauthorized Physical Access

Public computers – Keysloggers pre-installed on systems in libraries, cafes, etc.
Corporate espionage – Insiders with physical access manually install hardware keyloggers on office computers.
Close relationships – Partners, roommates, etc. with device access can secretly install keyloggers to spy.

How to Tell if You Have a Keylogger on Your Device

Detecting a keylogger can be tricky, since they are designed to avoid raising suspicions. Here are some signs that may indicate a keylogger infection:

Performance Issues

Unusually high CPU, RAM, or disk usage
Slow boot times
Sluggish typing response
Frequent freezes and crashes
Problems connecting to websites

Strange New Files

Unknown .exe, .dll, .sys, .dmp or .drv files
Files with random names or formats
Processes and services from unsigned publishers

Suspicious Network Traffic

Traffic spikes when device is idle
Connections to unknown IP addresses
Encrypted outbound connections

Weird Hardware Behavior

Keyboard lights activate randomly
Odd noises, beeps, or clicks
Problems removing/inserting USB devices

Strange Activity

Programs open themselves
Settings spontaneously change
Files open and save by themselves

How to Remove a Keylogger From Your Computer

If you suspect a keylogger is installed, here are the steps to find and remove it:

Disconnect from the internet – Unplug your ethernet cable and disable WiFi so the keylogger can‘t transmit logs.
Scan with antivirus software – Run a full system scan to check for keylogging malware. Quarantine anything found.
Check background processes – Use Task Manager on Windows or Activity Monitor on Mac to look for unfamiliar processes.
Inspect registry entries – On Windows, look in registry at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run for unfamiliar programs.
Examine login items – Look for unknown startup programs under Users & Groups in Mac System Preferences.
Show hidden files – Keyloggers may hide their files, so enable showing system/hidden files in Folder Options on Windows or Terminal on Mac.
Manually uninstall – If found, uninstall keylogger programs through Control Panel on Windows or Finder on Mac.
Clear browser data – Keyloggers may install as browser extensions, so clear all cache/cookies in your browsers.

For severe infections, renaming then reformatting your hard drive may be necessary as a last resort. Make sure to back up your data first!

How to Remove a Keylogger From Your Smartphone

Keyloggers on mobile devices require a different removal approach:

Close all apps – Force close any apps running in the background that could be infected.
Enable airplane mode – Turn off all wireless connectivity like WiFi and cellular to block the keylogger‘s network access.
Check installed apps – Look for any apps you don‘t remember downloading, or apps with extensive permissions. Delete anything suspicious.
Scan with security software – Use mobile antivirus apps to scan for malware and remove anything found.
Check accessibility settings – Keyloggers may enable accessibility features for spying purposes without your knowledge.
Reset phone to factory settings – As a last resort, back up your data and reset your phone to wipe all potentially compromised software.

Tips to Avoid Keylogger Infections

Practicing good cybersecurity hygiene is crucial to avoid becoming a victim. Here are some tips to help prevent keylogger installations:

Use comprehensive antivirus software and keep it updated.
Avoid downloading random programs or files from unverified sources. Stick to official app stores like the Play Store.
Never click suspicious links or attachments in emails, social media messages, etc.
Use strong, unique passwords on all accounts and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
Be wary of public computers in places like libraries, cafes or hotel lobbies that may be infected with keyloggers.
Regularly monitor browser extensions, startup items, background processes, registry entries, and installed programs for anything dubious.
Cover your webcam, disable microphone access when not needed, and avoid sensitive voice conversations when compromised.
Use reputable VPN and firewall software, especially on public networks, for added security.

With good digital habits and cybersecurity tools, you can dramatically reduce your risk. But ultimately, no solution is 100% foolproof against creative black hat hackers.

Keylogger FAQs

Are keyloggers illegal?

It is illegal in most countries to install a keylogger on any device you do not own, without the owner‘s consent. However, parents can legally install keyloggers on their minor children‘s devices. Some employers also use keyloggers legally to monitor company-owned systems.

Can antivirus detect a keylogger?

Quality antivirus software is designed to detect most known keylogger malware through malware signatures and heuristic analysis. However, advanced custom-built keyloggers still evade many antivirus programs.

What‘s the difference between a keylogger and a virus?

A keylogger is a type of spyware focused solely on capturing keystrokes. In contrast, viruses self-replicate code and infect/damage systems. Keyloggers are sometimes distributed via virus infections though.

Can a factory reset remove a keylogger?

Yes, performing a factory reset can wipe a device back to a clean state, removing any files or settings changed by a keylogger in the process. This is a last resort option if you cannot locate the keylogger files manually.

Are keylogger crimes easy to prosecute?

Most keylogging crimes are challenging to prosecute since it‘s difficult to prove who performed the unauthorized installation. Law enforcement typically relies on catching perpetrators in the act by tracing online accounts used for collecting keystroke logs.

The Bottom Line

Keyloggers enable tremendous invasions of privacy and identity theft by covertly recording the sensitive data you type. While they can sometimes serve legitimate purposes, their potential for abuse is far greater.

Safe browsing habits, cybersecurity tools, and device hygiene are crucial to avoid falling prey to the devious devices. But ultimately, eternal vigilance is required when it comes to keeping our digital lives secure against the schemes of cybercriminals.