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What is a keylogger?

Discover what keyloggers are, the types to watch for, and how Microsoft Security helps safeguard your information against unauthorized access.
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Understanding keyloggers

Keyloggers are a serious risk to personal and organizational security, silently recording keystrokes to steal sensitive information. Security software can help detect and block these hidden cyberthreats early—helping reduce risk, protect data, and give you confidence to work and connect securely across devices.

Key takeaways

  • Keyloggers are covert cyberthreats. They secretly record what users type to capture sensitive information like passwords or personal data.
  • Use trusted security software to detect and block keyloggers before they can do harm. Look for tools that offer real-time cyberthreat protection and behavior monitoring.
  • Keep your systems and apps updated. Regular software updates fix security vulnerabilities that cyberattackers look for.
  • Avoid suspicious links and downloads. Keyloggers are often delivered through phishing emails, fake software, or infected websites.
  • Use multi-factor authentication (MFA). Even if a password is captured, MFA adds another layer of protection that makes it harder for cyberattackers to access your accounts.
  • Secure shared or public devices. Avoid entering personal information on untrusted computers, especially in public spaces or shared networks.

What is a keylogger?

A keylogger is used to secretly record every keystroke made on a computer or mobile device, typically using surveillance software or hardware known as keyloggers. It can capture sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, messages, emails, and search queries—often without the user’s knowledge.

History of keylogging

As early as the 1950s, keylogging was used by intelligence agencies to monitor typewriters and telex machines. In the 1970s, hardware-based keyloggers emerged, intercepting signals from keyboards for surveillance.

By the 1990s, software keyloggers appeared alongside personal computers. Originally used for oversight and safety purposes, they soon attracted cybercriminals looking to steal sensitive data.

In the 2000s, keyloggers became common in malware, often delivered through phishing to capture information such as passwords, financial information, or corporate data. Today, keylogging remains a widespread tactic in cyberattacks. Some spyware still includes keylogging features, prompting modern security tools to detect and block them to protect user privacy.

Legal versus malicious use

Legal use

Keyloggers can be used legally when the person being monitored knows about it and gives permission. For example:
 
  • Employee monitoring. Employers may install keyloggers on company-owned devices to help teams stay focused, detect security issues, and ensure company policies are followed.
  • Parental control. Parents can use keyloggers to monitor their children’s online activity, protect them from harmful content, and encourage safe internet habits.
  • Law enforcement and government. With legal approval, authorities may use keyloggers during investigations to monitor digital activity, gather evidence, or prevent threats like cybercrime.
  • Corporate forensics. Organizations may use keyloggers during internal investigations to detect insider threats, investigate data theft, or collect evidence for legal action.
     
Malicious use

Commonly used in cyberattacks to steal information, keyloggers gain access to systems and support broader malicious campaigns.
 
  • Espionage and data theft. Used to steal internal documents, business plans, or government secrets—often benefiting a competitor or foreign entity.
  • Malware delivery. Often bundled with ransomware or remote access trojans (RATs) to maintain access and move deeper into corporate networks.
  • Credential theft. Record usernames and passwords for business, financial, or cloud accounts, allowing cyberattackers to bypass security and access sensitive data.
  • Financial fraud. Capture payment details like credit cards or bank accounts to make unauthorized purchases or transfer funds.
  • Identity theft. Collect personal information to open accounts, apply for loans, or cause financial and legal harm.
  • Communication spying. Monitor private emails, chats, and messages to uncover sensitive conversations or disrupt internal trust.
  • Corporate surveillance. Access competitor communications, pricing, or strategy details to gain unfair business advantages.
  • Keystroke pattern analysis. Study typing behavior to guess passwords or design more effective phishing and password-cracking attacks.
     
Global regulations

Laws differ between countries and regions. Organizations should consult legal counsel and follow privacy regulations like General Data Protection Regulation, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or California Consumer Privacy Act when using monitoring tools.

How keyloggers work

Keyloggers can be installed either through software or physical devices. Cyberattackers choose their method based on the type of keylogger and the target. Here are some common tactics they use:
 
  • Phishing emails are messages that look like they’re from trusted sources, often with links or attachments that quietly install malware.
  • Malicious links or attachments hide keyloggers in downloadable files or on compromised websites. Clicking a link or opening a file—like a PDF or document—can silently install malware on your device.
  • Drive-by downloads happen when a keylogger is silently installed just by visiting a compromised website. These attacks exploit browser flaws and don’t require a visitor to click or download anything.
  • Bundled with legitimate looking software or apps, keyloggers are hidden inside free or unofficial apps. They install alongside the real program, making them easy to miss.
  • Physical access to devices allows someone to install a hardware keylogger between the keyboard and device—or even hide one inside the keyboard itself.
  • Remote access trojans let cyberattackers control your device and active the keylogger remotely.
     
Keystroke logging mechanism and data transmission

Keyloggers—whether software or hardware—collect sensitive information and send it to a cyberattacker without the user’s awareness.

How data is collected and transmitted

Once installed, a keylogger may:
 
  • Log every key you press.
  • Record clipboard activity, screenshots, or browser activity.
  • Store the data in a hidden file on the device.
     
After gathering enough information, the keylogger typically transmits it back to the cyberattacker. This can happen in several ways:
 
  • Over the internet via email, file transfer protocol, or web requests.
  • Through a RAT that sends real-time logs.
  • By waiting for the cyberattacker to connect and retrieve the data manually.
     
Endgame: Theft, fraud, and espionage

The information collected through keylogging is often used for data theft. Cybercriminals may use the data to hack into accounts, steal money, or impersonate someone online. In cases of spying and espionage, keyloggers are used to gather private messages, login credentials, and sensitive documents. They frequently operate over long periods as part of broader attacks, giving cyberattackers deeper access to systems and confidential information.

What are the main types of keyloggers?

Keyloggers come in two main categories: software-based and hardware-based. Both are designed to capture keystrokes but operate in different ways.

Software keyloggers

Installed on a device, these programs run silently in the background and are often disguised as legitimate programs or are embedded in malicious software:
 
  • API-based tools use operating system APIs to intercept keystrokes by hooking into system-level functions. They are lightweight and hard to detect.
  • Form grabbing methods capture information typed into web forms—such as login credentials or credit card numbers—before it’s encrypted and transmitted.
  • Kernel-based techniques operate at the operating system’s kernel level, intercepting system calls directly. They are highly stealthy and require elevated privileges to install.
  • JavaScript based approaches run in the browser and are often delivered through cross-site scripting or malicious ads. They record keystrokes entered into web-based apps.
  • RATs give cyberattackers full control of a compromised device and often include built-in keylogging features.
     
Hardware keyloggers

These are physical devices that are attached to a computer to capture what is typed. They are often hidden inside or between parts of a keyboard or computer. Examples are:
 
  • Inline keylogger devices plug into the connection between a keyboard and a computer, capturing keystrokes as they pass through. Commonly used in physical surveillance.
  • Wireless tools intercept Bluetooth or radio frequency signals from wireless keyboards to record keystrokes remotely—no physical contact required.
  • Firmware-based methods modify a keyboard’s internal firmware to store or transmit keystrokes. Often used in insider threats or espionage.
  • Embedded hardware components are installed inside a keyboard or attached to internal circuitry to tap into electrical signals from key presses.
  • Video-based approaches use cameras aimed at keyboards to visually record keystrokes by tracking finger movements or screen reflections. Often seen in ATM skimming scenarios.

Real-world examples

Some groups face higher risk of cyberattacks due to the value of the data they handle or how they work. Keyloggers are commonly used to steal credentials, spy on communications, and support targeted cyberattacks.

Here are some examples:

Individuals
 

  • Remote workers often operate outside company firewalls and may rely on Wi-Fi or personal devices.
    Outcome: This exposes them to phishing emails, malicious downloads, and drive-by attacks that can silently install keyloggers and steal sensitive login credentials.

  • Gamers are targeted for their high-value online accounts or in-game purchases.
    Outcome: Cracked or modified game files often contain hidden keyloggers, which can be used to hijack gaming accounts, steal payment information, or monitor behavior.

  • Students may download unpurchased study software or unauthorized exam tools, from unofficial websites.
    Outcome: These tools may contain spyware or keyloggers that record keystrokes, capture personal data, or access university accounts—leading to privacy breaches or academic misconduct.
     

Small and medium-sized businesses

Small and medium-sized businesses often lack dedicated security teams, making them easier targets for credential theft, ransomware, and espionage via keyloggers. These organizations may not have strong defenses or monitoring tools in place—leaving them vulnerable to both external and insider threats. Here are some examples:
 

  • Construction. A U.S. construction company lost $550,000 due to a keylogger installed via a phishing email.
    Outcome: The malware captured banking credentials, allowing cyberattackers to transfer funds from corporate accounts.

  • Public sector/utilities. An employee at a public utility installed physical keyloggers on workstations to spy on coworkers.
    Outcome: Internal surveillance and unauthorized data collection, flagged as an insider threat.

  • Healthcare. Healthcare entities have been repeatedly targeted by malware with keylogging features such as Emotet and TrickBot.
    Outcome: Patient records, login credentials, and internal systems were compromised, leading to regulatory and operational risks.
     

Large enterprises

Large enterprises face risks from targeted keylogger attacks designed to steal intellectual property, financial data, or compromise internal systems. Because these organizations manage vast networks, customer data, and critical infrastructure, they’re often targeted through sophisticated malware campaigns or supply chain vulnerabilities.
 

  • Retail sector – point-of-sale malware. Over 200 retail locations were infected with keylogging malware targeting point-of-sale terminals.
    Outcome: The cyberattackers captured both credit card data and keystrokes, potentially impacting thousands of customers and exposing the business to financial loss and brand damage.

  • Financial sector – insider threat and credential theft. A global financial institution discovered that a keylogger had been installed by a contractor on several internal systems.
    Outcome: The keylogger captured employee credentials and internal communications over weeks, exposing sensitive financial data and enabling unauthorized access to restricted areas of the network. The breach prompted a full investigation and overhaul of third-party access controls.

  • Technology sector – supply chain exposure. Laptops were shipped with an audio driver that included a built-in keylogger, originally intended for internal debugging.
    Outcome: Keystrokes were stored locally on the device, creating a major privacy and compliance risk until the issue was discovered and patched—highlighting the dangers of hidden logging mechanisms within the supply chain.
     

High-value roles

Executives, finance leaders, developers, and IT administrators are frequent targets of spear phishing and espionage campaigns involving keyloggers. These individuals have privileged access to financial systems, confidential strategy documents, source code, and infrastructure credentials—making them high-value entry points for cyberattackers. If compromised, they can serve as a gateway to the broader organization or become the focal point of prolonged surveillance.

An example of executive targeting is the DarkHotel campaign. Keyloggers were delivered over compromised hotel Wi-Fi networks to target traveling executives. The cyberattackers stole login credentials, accessed sensitive business data, and silently monitored executive communications—demonstrating the sophistication of targeted surveillance campaigns against high-level personnel.

How to detect keyloggers and respond

How to detect keyloggers

Here are some common warning signs that may suggest your device has been compromised:
 

  • Sluggish performance. If your device slows down—especially when typing or logging in—it might mean something is secretly running in the background.

  • Unexpected pop-ups or crashes. Frequent error messages, system crashes, or strange pop-ups (especially when you're not actively using the internet) may indicate malware is at work.

  • Unusual network activity. If your internet is active when you're not online, or your firewall shows unusual activity, a keylogger might be sending data to a cyberattacker.

  • Antivirus alerts or blocked applications. It's a red flag if your antivirus shows strange alerts, blocks unknown programs, keeps warning you, or suddenly stops working.

Detection tools
 

  • Antivirus and anti-malware programs scan your system for known threats and alert you if they find suspicious software, including many types of keyloggers.

  • Behavior-based detection tools look for odd behavior—like unknown apps trying to track keystrokes or send data—helping catch threats regular scanners miss.

  • Firewall and network monitoring software detect strange internet activity, like sudden traffic spikes or unknown connections.

  • Anti-rootkit utilities search deep in the system to find hidden threats—especially advanced keyloggers that normal antivirus programs can’t detect.

Manual identification techniques

While security software is the best line of defense, here are a few manual techniques you can use to spot potential keyloggers:
 

  • Check task manager or activity monitor. Look for unfamiliar programs running in the background. Some keyloggers use generic names, so anything that looks strange may be worth checking out.

  • Review installed programs or apps. Check your apps and browser extensions. If something looks unfamiliar or out of place, it could be a hidden cyberthreat.

  • Monitor outgoing network traffic. Look for unexpected internet activity that suggests a background program is regularly sending data to unknown servers.

  • Inspect keyboard and USB connections. For hardware keyloggers, look for anything odd between your keyboard and computer, or check the keyboard itself—especially on public or shared devices.

  • Check for suspicious behavior. Repeated typos, delayed input when typing, or changes to your browser’s homepage or search engine may indicate hidden monitoring tools.

If you suspect a keylogger and can’t confirm it, run a full system scan using trusted antivirus software and consider consulting IT or cybersecurity professionals.

Advanced cyberthreat detection

Cyberthreat intelligence security tools help protect against keyloggers by giving early insights into cyberattacker behavior and new malware. It uses global data to spot threats sooner, improve defenses, and speed up response.

Cyberthreat hunting is a hands-on security method where experts look for hidden threats that automated tools might miss—like keyloggers disguised as normal programs. Using cyberthreat intelligence, they investigate unusual behavior to spot signs of attack early and improve overall security.

User and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) spots keyloggers by learning what's normal for users and devices, then flagging unusual activity. For example, if an account suddenly accesses sensitive data at odd times, UEBA will alert you—even if regular tools miss it. By focusing on behavior instead of known cyberthreats, UEBA is great at catching stealthy or new keylogger attacks.

These detection strategies are typically managed by a Security Operations Center (SOC)—a dedicated team or facility responsible for monitoring, detecting, and responding to cyberthreats. The SOC uses tools like security information and event management (SIEM) and security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) to coordinate alerts, investigate anomalies, and automate cyberthreat response at scale.

Responding to a keylogger cyberthreat

Effective threat detection and response is key when dealing with keyloggers. Tools with extended detection and response (XDR) capabilities can spot suspicious activity, send real-time alerts, and isolate affected systems to stop cyberthreats like keyloggers quickly.

Incident response is part of cyberthreat detection and response. It includes steps like containing the cyberthreat, alerting teams, investigating the issue, and getting systems back to normal.

Acting quickly can help prevent further damage and protect your personal or organization’s data. Here’s a step-by-step guide to safely respond and recover:
 

  • Disconnect from the internet. Immediately disconnect your device from Wi-Fi or unplug your Ethernet cable. This helps prevent the keylogger from transmitting stolen data to the cyberattacker.

  • Run a full system scan. Use a trusted antivirus or anti-malware tool to scan your entire system. Let the software quarantine or remove any cyberthreats it finds. If your software offers a boot-time or offline scan, use that option to detect deeply hidden cyberthreats.

  • Change passwords on a secure device. Don’t change your passwords on the infected device. Use a clean device to update key accounts like email, banking, or work apps. Turn on MFA if you can.

  • Check for unauthorized activity. Review your accounts for suspicious logins, transactions, or messages. Report anything unusual to the affected service providers and follow their steps for securing your accounts.

  • Contact IT or cybersecurity professionals. If you’re part of an organization, notify your IT or security team right away. For personal devices, consider seeking help from a reputable cybersecurity support service if you're unsure how to proceed.

  • Reinstall or restore the system (if needed). If the infection is severe or can't be fully removed, performing a clean reinstall of the operating system may be the safest option. Be sure to back up important files first—but only those confirmed to be clean.

  • Report the incident if required. If the keylogger has exposed sensitive data—especially customer, employee, or financial information—you may need to:

    • Notify affected individuals, depending on your industry and regulations.
    • File a report with local authorities or regulatory bodies, such as data protection agencies, law enforcement, or legal counsel.
    • Document the incident for compliance audits or insurance purposes.

In a corporate setting, this step is critical to managing legal exposure, protecting stakeholders, and following cybersecurity best practices.

Security best practices to protect your data

  • Conduct regular security audits. Regularly review system configurations, user access, and device activity to spot vulnerabilities before cyberattackers can exploit them.
  • Keep software and operating systems up to date. Patching known bugs and vulnerabilities is one of the most effective ways to prevent malware—including keyloggers—from taking hold.
  • Train employees to avoid suspicious links and downloads. User awareness is key. Educate staff to be cautious with email attachments, pop-ups, and unknown software—common ways keyloggers are introduced.
  • Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). Even if a keylogger captures a password, MFA adds a second layer of security that makes unauthorized access much harder.
  • Adopt a Zero Trust Architecture. No user, device, or app is trusted automatically—even inside the network. It uses constant checks and limited access to reduce the damage from stolen credentials and protect against keyloggers.
     
Identity and access management

Strong identity and access management (IAM) helps reduce the impact of keyloggers. It makes sure only approved users can access certain resources, based on who they are and what they need. By limiting access, looking for unusual behavior, and using tools like multi-factor authentication, IAM helps block cyberattackers—even if they steal valid login details.

Role of anti-malware, anti-keylogging, and antivirus software

Security software plays a critical role in detecting and blocking keyloggers—often before they can cause harm:
 
  • Antivirus software helps identify and remove known cyberthreats, including many types of keyloggers, by scanning files and monitoring for malicious behavior.
  • Anti-malware tools offer broader protection against a range of cyberthreats beyond viruses—such as spyware, trojans, and ransomware—that may include keylogging functionality.
  • Anti-keylogging software specifically focuses on monitoring apps and processes that attempt to log keystrokes, providing real-time protection and alerts.
     
For the best results, these tools should be kept up to date and configured for automatic scanning and real-time monitoring.

Endpoint detection and response

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools continuously watch devices for suspicious activity. Unlike regular antivirus software, EDR can spot hidden cyberthreats, isolate affected systems, and support quick responses. EDR tools with built-in cyberthreat intelligence and automation help security teams detect, investigate, and stop keyloggers more quickly.

Using virtual keyboards and password managers

Two practical tools can help limit the impact of keyloggers—even if one makes it onto a system:
 
  • Virtual keyboards allow users to enter sensitive information (like passwords or credit card numbers) by clicking on an on-screen keyboard. This bypasses physical keystrokes, making it harder for traditional keyloggers to capture input.
  • Password managers autofill login credentials without typing, which can reduce exposure to keystroke logging. They also encourage stronger, unique passwords and help prevent phishing by filling only on legitimate websites.
     
While not a replacement for strong security practices, these tools provide useful workarounds to help minimize keylogger risks in both personal and professional settings.

Keylogger behavior on different platforms

Windows

Keyloggers often enter through common methods and then use system-level techniques to stay hidden while capturing typed information. Here's how they get in—and what they do once inside:
 
  • Phishing emails trick users into clicking malicious links or opening harmful attachments. Once installed, API-based tools use Windows system functions to quietly monitor keyboard input.
  • Malicious attachments—like documents with macros or disguised ZIP files—contain embedded malware that activates when opened. After activation, kernel-level tools can capture keystrokes deep in the system, making them hard to detect.
  • Cracked or pirated software often bundles keyloggers with seemingly useful programs, exploiting users seeking free versions of paid tools. These downloads can use form-grabbing to steal information typed into browsers—like login details—before it's encrypted.
  • Drive-by downloads occur when visiting compromised websites that exploit browser or plugin vulnerabilities to install malware without any user action. Cyberattackers often use this method to install RATs, which run quietly in the background and include keylogging features.
macOS

macOS can also be targeted through insider cyberthreats or advanced malware. Here's how cyberthreats get in—and how they operate once inside:
 
  • Malicious apps may request access to macOS accessibility features to monitor keyboard input. Once access is granted, they can misuse system functions to log keystrokes without detection.
  • Custom scripts or tools are sometimes manually deployed through phishing or insider access. These scripts mimic user monitoring software to silently record input.
  • Kernel extensions (kexts), used in older attacks, allow low-level access to the system. When enabled, they intercept keystrokes at the kernel level, although Apple’s security measures now limit this risk
  • Built-in protections introduced in recent macOS versions help block unauthorized monitoring. Since macOS Catalina, user consent is required for input monitoring, and Gatekeeper helps block unverified software.
Android

Android is often targeted by mobile keyloggers because it allows apps from outside the official app store and gives apps broad access to the system. Here’s how deceptive or unauthorized apps get in—and what they do once installed:
 
  • Malicious apps often disguise themselves as helpful tools while secretly recording keystrokes. Once installed, they abuse background services and permissions to monitor user input
  • Accessibility service abuse gives cyberattackers a way to observe text input and gestures across the device. Apps with these permissions can log sensitive information like passwords and messages
  • Screen overlay attacks use invisible layers placed over legitimate apps to intercept what users’ type. These overlays are designed to mimic real input fields and capture personal data.
  • Third-party app stores and sideloaded apps pose a higher risk. Without proper vetting, these sources can easily distribute apps embedded with keylogging functions.
iOS

Despite strict security models, keylogging on iOS can still occur—mainly in rare, high-sophistication attacks. Here’s how it happens—and how it functions if successful:
 
  • Jailbroken devices are especially vulnerable, as they bypass Apple’s built-in protections. With root access, cyberattackers can install tools that monitor keystrokes across apps.
  • Malicious enterprise apps are sometimes distributed using developer certificates rather than the App Store. When misused, these apps can access sensitive inputs and evade standard review processes.
  • Zero-day exploits in advanced spyware are occasionally used in targeted attacks. These methods may include keylogging as part of broader surveillance capabilities.
  • Platform protection remains strong against typical keylogging attempts. App sandboxing, limited API access, and strict app review processes reduce the chances of successful compromise.
 

Microsoft Defender XDR

Microsoft Defender XDR offers powerful detection and response capabilities that help protect organizations from keyloggers.

  1. Detects keylogger behavior across endpoints

Defender XDR monitors activity across all endpoints—Windows, macOS, mobile devices, and more—to identify suspicious behavior, such as:
 
  • Unusual attempts to access keyboard input APIs.
  • Unauthorized software logging keystrokes or capturing screen data.
  • Abnormal processes or applications running in the background.
Using behavior-based detection, Defender XDR can identify both known and unknown keyloggers—even those not yet included in signature databases.

  2. Correlates cyberthreat signals across multiple domains

Unlike traditional security tools that focus on a single layer (like endpoints or email), Defender XDR correlates data across endpoints, identities, email and collaboration tools, and SaaS apps. This helps uncover keyloggers that may be part of larger attacks, such as:
 
  • A phishing email that installs a remote access trojan with keylogging capabilities.
  • A compromised account where keystrokes reveal internal credentials.
  • Suspicious login patterns following keylogger activity.
This extended visibility helps security teams respond faster and with better context.

  3. Real-time alerts and automated response

When Defender XDR detects keylogging activity or associated cyberthreats, it:
 
  • Sends real-time alerts with actionable insights.
  • Can automatically isolate affected endpoints to stop data exfiltration.
  • Initiates automated investigation and remediation to remove the malware.
     
By reducing the need for manual intervention, Defender XDR helps security teams respond quickly and contain cyberthreats before damage spreads.

  4. Continuous protection and integration

Defender XDR includes native identity protection across both on premises and cloud identities. This ecosystem:
 
  • Strengthens protections against credential theft through multi-factor authentication and conditional access.
  • Helps detect follow-up actions or movement across systems after a keylogger infection.
  • Supports proactive cyberthreat hunting using Microsoft’s cyberthreat intelligence and analytics.
     
Microsoft Sentinel, a cloud-native SIEM solution, enables real-time monitoring and linking related security events across your environment. This includes SOAR capabilities that help automate cyberthreat investigation and response. Together, these tools support more efficient security operations by helping organizations detect and contain keyloggers faster and with less manual effort.

Defender XDR and Microsoft Sentinel provide layered, intelligent protection against keyloggers by:
 
  • Monitoring suspicious behavior across devices and accounts.
  • Connecting data from different environments to get a clearer picture.
  • Automating detection, response, and remediation actions.
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Frequently asked questions

  • Common types include API-based keyloggers, which use system tools to record what you type; form-grabbing keyloggers, which collect information from web forms like usernames or passwords before it's sent; and kernel-based keyloggers, which operate deep in the system and are harder to detect—making them more dangerous.
  • Yes, keyloggers can be detected using security tools and by watching for unusual signs. Most antivirus and anti-malware software can find and block common keyloggers, especially if it's updated regularly. These tools look for strange keyboard activity and suspicious programs. You might also notice warning signs like slow performance, unknown programs running, or unusual network activity—such as data being sent when you’re not using the internet.

    You can check for keyloggers manually using Task Manager or Activity Monitor to spot unfamiliar or oddly named tasks. Security tools like endpoint detection and response can also help by alerting you to strange system behavior or unauthorized software. For deeper threats, like keyloggers hidden in the system, rootkit scanners and boot-time scans work well because they search before the system fully starts up—making it harder for hidden malware to avoid detection.
  • Keylogging can cause your device to act strangely. You might notice slow startup, typing delays, or apps that freeze or crash. Everyday tasks may feel slower than usual.

    Other warning signs include slow keyboard response, random pop-ups, or settings changing on their own. You might also see more internet activity than expected, unknown programs running, or security software that stops working. These can all be signs of a hidden keylogger.
  • To remove a keylogger, start by using trusted antivirus or anti-malware software to scan your device. Let it remove or block anything suspicious, and make sure the software is up to date.

    You can also check for problems yourself. Open Task Manager or Activity Monitor to look for strange programs. Uninstall anything you don’t recognize and turn off apps that start automatically.

    Afterward, change your passwords from a safe device—not the one that might be infected. Turn on multi-factor authentication for extra security. If the problem doesn’t go away, consider doing a full system reset or asking a professional for help.

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