What Is Keylogging? Methods, Risks and How to Protect Yourself

Every time you type a password or personal information online, there’s a risk that it could be recorded without your knowledge. Keylogging is one of the ways cybercriminals capture this sensitive data. And with cybercrime rising, the risk is real — in Q3 of 2024, over 422 million data records were leaked in data breaches, affecting millions of people around the world.

Keylogging uses software or hardware to record everything you type. Learn more about this cyberthreat, including what keylogging is, how it works, the risks it poses and simple steps you can take to protect yourself.

What Is Keylogging?

Keylogging is the practice of recording every keystroke you make on a computer or mobile device. It can capture anything you type, including passwords, credit card numbers, messages, search terms and even private notes.

While keylogging often sounds like something only hackers use, it does have legitimate purposes. Employers may use it to monitor company devices, and parents might use it to keep kids safe online. But in the wrong hands, keyloggers become a dangerous spying tool, stealing sensitive information for fraud, identity theft or other cybercrimes.

Types of Keyloggers

Keyloggers can be software installed secretly on your device or physical gadgets plugged into your computer. Both work as a keystroke recorder, capturing sensitive data without alerting the user. Here are the main types of keyloggers.

Hardware Keyloggers

A hardware keylogger is a small device connected between your keyboard and computer, or built directly into a keyboard or USB drive. It records every keystroke you make, storing the data for the attacker to retrieve later. 

Example: Someone could plug in a disguised USB dongle to capture passwords or credit card numbers on a public computer.

API Keyloggers

An API keylogger is a type of keylogging software that hooks into your operating system’s application programming interface (API) to record keystrokes. Every time you press a key, the API sends that information to the software, which logs it for later use. 

Example: Malware on a laptop could track every word you type in emails, documents and chat apps.

Form-Grabbing Keyloggers

Form-grabbing keyloggers capture the information you type into web forms, such as login pages or payment checkouts, before it’s encrypted and sent over the internet. This means even if a website uses HTTPS, the attacker can still collect your details. 

Example: Banking trojans often include form-grabbing keyloggers to steal usernames and passwords.

Kernel-Based Keyloggers

Kernel-based keyloggers run deep inside your OS, at the “kernel” level where the core system processes operate. Because they have such high-level access, they can intercept keystrokes before any security software detects them. 

Example: Advanced spyware might install a kernel-based keylogger to track everything a user does without showing up in standard scans.

Acoustic Keyloggers

Acoustic keyloggers capture the sound of your typing and use it to figure out which keys you pressed. They can be physical devices with microphones or keylogging software that uses your device’s built-in mic. 

Example: A nearby attacker could record your keyboard clicks and run them through software to reconstruct your passwords.

Dangers of Keylogging

Once your keystrokes are recorded, attackers can use that data in damaging ways, including:

• Identity theft: Stolen personal information like your name, address and Social Security number can be used to open bank accounts, take out loans or commit other crimes in your name.
• Fraud and corporate espionage: Hackers can steal company logins, trade secrets and financial records, leading to monetary loss and competitive damage.
• Cyberstalking: Attackers can track private conversations, social media activity and online searches to harass or intimidate victims.
• Financial loss: Captured banking credentials or credit card details can be used to drain accounts or make unauthorized purchases.
• Account takeovers: Stolen usernames and passwords can give attackers full access to your email, social media or work systems.
• Reputation damage: Sensitive messages, photos or business documents could be leaked, causing embarrassment or harm to personal and professional relationships.

Keyloggers aren’t rare, either. Sophos found that in 2023, over 43% of all malware detections for SMBs were keyloggers, spyware and stealers, showing just how widespread these threats really are.

How Keyloggers Attack Your Devices

Keyloggers don’t magically appear — they need a way in. Attackers use several tricks to plant them on your devices, often without you noticing. Here are some of the most common methods.

Phishing

Phishing attacks trick you into clicking a link or opening an attachment in a fake email, text or message. The file or link often contains keylogging software that silently installs itself and starts recording your keystrokes.

Drive-By Downloads

With a drive-by download, simply visiting a compromised or malicious website can trigger an automatic download of a keystroke recorder onto your device. You don’t need to click anything — the site’s hidden code does the work for the attacker.

Trojan Horse

A trojan horse disguises itself as a safe program, like a document, image or app. Once opened, it installs a keylogger in the background. For example, a “free” game from an untrusted source could secretly log everything you type.

Physical Access

If someone has physical access to your computer, they can plug in a hardware keylogger between your keyboard and computer or install keylogging software in minutes. This is common in public or shared spaces, like internet cafes or libraries.

Exploiting System Vulnerabilities

Hackers can take advantage of unpatched software or outdated browsers to install a keylogger. By exploiting these weak spots, they can sneak in without triggering alarms, especially if your security updates are overdue.

Malicious Browser Extensions

Some shady browser extensions request permissions they don’t need, like reading everything you type into websites. Once installed, they can work as a keystroke recorder, collecting your personal data and sending it to attackers.

Bundling With Other Software

Keyloggers can be hidden inside legitimate-looking free software, like a utility app or media player. When you install the program, you unknowingly install the keylogging software, too. Freeware from unverified sources is a common culprit.

Signs There’s a Keylogger on Your Device

Knowing how to detect keyloggers early can help you stop them before serious damage is done. Here are signs that can show up on desktops, laptops, Androids and iPhones, though some may be more noticeable on certain devices:

• Delayed typing: If there’s a noticeable lag between pressing a key and seeing it on screen, a keystroke recorder might be intercepting your input before it appears.
• Applications frequently freezing: If programs lock up or crash more often than usual, the extra strain of hidden keylogging software could be the cause.
• Unknown processes consuming computing power: Open your Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) and look for unfamiliar process names or unusually high CPU usage from unknown sources. These could be background programs logging your keystrokes.
• Unusual network activity: A keylogger may send collected data to a remote server. Watch for sudden spikes in internet usage, especially if they connect to unknown IP addresses.
• Unexpected firewall alerts: If your firewall warns that a program is trying to connect to the internet, but you didn’t start that program, it could be a keylogger trying to send stolen data.
• Check for physical devices: Look for small, unfamiliar gadgets plugged between your keyboard and computer or strange USB dongles. Hardware keyloggers are often disguised but may stand out if you inspect closely.

How to Protect Your Devices From Keyloggers

Knowing how to prevent keylogging starts with good digital hygiene, and your approach will differ depending on whether you’re using your own device or a public one. Here are some ways to stay safe:

• Install antivirus, anti-spyware and anti-malware software to detect and remove malicious keylogging software before it causes harm.
• Use dedicated anti-keyloggers (if your antivirus doesn’t have this feature) to detect and block keystroke recorders in real time, stopping them before they can capture your data.
• Monitor network traffic and keyboard/mouse activity to spot unusual data transfers or input patterns that could signal keylogger activity.
• Implement strong access controls and 2FA to add an extra step for logins, so even if your password is stolen, it’s useless without the second verification code.
• Start your computer from a trusted, read-only drive to ensure no hidden malware runs in the background.
• Use automatic form filler programs to fill in passwords and personal details without typing them, leaving nothing for a keylogger to record.
• Opt for one-time passwords (OTP) that expire after one use — even if stolen, they can’t be reused.

Avoid Keylogging With Panda Dome

Keylogging may be a silent threat, but its impact can be devastating — from stolen passwords to drained bank accounts. Staying ahead of these attacks means having strong, always-on protection that can detect and block them before they strike.

Panda Dome offers advanced security features, including real-time malware detection, anti-spyware tools and specific defenses against keylogging software. It monitors your system for suspicious activity, blocks malicious downloads and keeps your personal information safe from prying eyes. Get Panda Dome today and protect your devices from keyloggers and other cyberthreats.

Keylogging FAQ

If you still have concerns about keylogging, here are answers to some of the most common questions people have around the topic. 

Can a Keylogger Be Removed or Turned Off?

Yes, most keyloggers can be removed or disabled:

• On personal devices, run a full scan with reputable antivirus, anti-malware or dedicated anti-keylogger software. 
• For hardware keyloggers, physically inspect your devices for unfamiliar dongles or connectors and remove them. 

Keeping your system and software updated also prevents many keyloggers from reinstalling.

How Do You Know If Someone Is Keylogging You?

Signs of keylogging include delayed typing, unusual crashes, high CPU usage from unknown processes or unexpected network activity. Monitoring your system with security tools can help detect suspicious software, and reviewing firewall alerts can reveal programs trying to send data to unknown servers.

What Are the Benefits of Keylogging?

While often associated with cybercrime, keylogging has legitimate uses. Parents can monitor children online for safety, and employers may track company devices to ensure proper usage. In these cases, keylogging software is used transparently and legally to gather useful information without harming users.