Keylogger

A keylogger, sometimes called a keystroke logger or system monitor, is a type of surveillance technology used to monitor and record each keystroke typed on a specific computer's keyboard. Keylogger software is also available for use on smartphones, such as Apple's iPhone and Android devices. Keyloggers are often used as a spyware tool by cybercriminals to steal personally identifiable information (PII), login credentials and sensitive enterprise data. Keylogger recorders may also be used by employers to observe employees' computer activities, parents to supervise their children's internet usage, users to track possible unauthorized activity on their devices or law enforcement agencies to analyze incidents involving computer use. These uses are considered ethical or appropriate in varying degrees. Types of keyloggers A hardware-based keylogger is a small device that serves as a connector between the computer keyboard and the computer. The device is designed to resemble an ordinary keyboard PS/2 connector, part of the computer cabling or a USB adaptor, making it relatively easy for someone who wants to monitor a user's behavior to hide such a device. Most workstation keyboards also plug into the back of the computer, keeping the connections out of the user's line of sight. A hardware keylogger may also come in the form of a module that is installed inside the keyboard itself. When the user types on the keyboard, the keylogger collects each keystroke and saves it as text in its own miniature hard drive, which may have a memory capacity of up to several gigabytes. The person who installed the keylogger must later return and physically remove the device in order to access the information that has been gathered. There are also wireless keylogger sniffers that can intercept and decrypt data packets being transferred between a wireless keyboard and its receiver.