Keyloggers have been used for over a decade to steal sensitive data from unsuspecting victims. Also known as keystroke loggers, it consists of software or programs that record a victim’s keystrokes. If your computer is infected with a keylogger, a hacker might be able to see everything you type — including the usernames and passwords to all your accounts. However, there are tools available to protect against keyloggers, one of which is an anti-keylogger.
What Is an Anti-Keylogger?
An anti-keylogger, as the name suggests, is a cybersecurity tool that’s designed to detect and/or neutralize keyloggers. A keylogger is a type of software, and like most software, it leaves behind a digital footprint. Anti-keyloggers look for the digital footprints of keyloggers to reveal whether a computer or device is infected with one.
All anti-keyloggers are able to detect keyloggers. They run in the background while scanning files to see if there’s a keylogger present. With that said, some of the more advanced anti-keyloggers are also capable of blocking or even removing keyloggers.
Anti-Keylogger vs Antivirus Software
Antivirus software is also capable of identifying and neutralizing keyloggers. Unfortunately, though, it’s not as effective. Keyloggers generally consist of small and discreet files that are overlooked by most types of antivirus software.
Anti-keyloggers are able to detect all types of keyloggers, including hardware-based keyloggers. Keyloggers can be categorized as either software or hardware based. The most common type, software-based keyloggers consist of software. Hardware-based keyloggers, on the other hand, consist of devices or components — such as USB flash drives — that record keystrokes. You can protect against both software- and hardware-based keyloggers by using an anti-keylogger.
It’s important to note that anti-keyloggers are designed to detect all forms of keystroke logging, including legitimate keystroke logging activities. Not all keystroke logging is performed with malicious intent. Some businesses and individuals use keystroke logging software to create a record of everything they type. If you use keystroke logging software for a legitimate purpose such as this, an anti-keylogger may flag it for removal.
In Conclusion
Keystroke logging is an age-old cyber threat that involves logging a victim’s keystrokes. Whether it’s software or hardware based, though, an anti-keylogger can help defend against this otherwise common cyber threat. Anti-keyloggers work by scanning files in search of the digital footprints left behind from keyloggers. At minimum, an anti-keylogger can reveal whether your computer is infected with a keylogger. Some anti-keyloggers go one step further by blocking or removing detected keyloggers.
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