Each time a user presses or releases a key it is recorded. This type of keylogger registers keystroke events as if it was a normal aspect of the application instead of malware. API-based keyloggers intercept every keyboard input sent to the program you’re typing into. These keyloggers Application programming interfaces (APIs) allow software to communicate with hardware. Keyloggers are separated into the following categories, based on how they work: API-based For this reason, keyloggers pose a serious threat to computer security and data privacy. Later the hacker will retrieve the stored data. Oftentimes, when a user’s computer is infected with a keylogger trojan, the malicious software will keep track of their keystrokes and save the information to their computer’s local drive.
As a result, users are almost always unaware that their keystrokes a being monitored. Generally, a keylogger is insidiously installed alongside an otherwise legitimate program. However, they’ve since been used by hackers and criminals as a tool for stealing sensitive data such as usernames, passwords, bank account information, and other confidential information. They were originally used for computer troubleshooting, employee activity monitoring, and as a way to discover how users interact with programs so their user experience could be enhanced. Keyloggers were designed for legitimate purposes.
In this article, we dive into everything you need to know about them and teach you how to protect yourself from them! Is a keystroke logger a virus? A keylogger, which is also known as a keystroke logger or a keyboard capturer, is a piece of software or hardware developed to monitor and record everything you type on a keyboard.