Security Update....WHAT IS A KEYLOGGER? A keylogger is a computer program that logs each keystroke a user types on a keyboard and saves this data into a file or transfers it via the Internet to a predetermined remote host. It also can capture screenshots of user activity, log passwords, record online chat conversations or take different actions in order to find out what a user is doing. A keylogger poses the most dangerous threat to user privacy. A keylogger can be also a small physical device that usually is placed between the keyboard’s plug and the computer’s keyboard port. A hardware keylogger records all keystrokes and saves them into own memory. Such a device doesn’t rely on a particular software or driver and therefore works under different environments. However, it doesn’t take screenshots and can be easily found during a thorough computer inspection. Software keyloggers are divided into parasitical and legitimate applications. Malicious keyloggers are very similar to viruses and trojans. They are used by hackers to violate user privacy. Legitimate keyloggers, also known as computer surveillance tools, are commercial products targeted mostly to parents, employers and teachers. They allow to find out what children or employees are doing online. However, even legal programs work without the monitored user’s knowledge and consent. They can be also used by malicious persons and therefore are not classified as less harmful threats than the actual parasites.
Posted on: Sun, 06 Oct 2013 12:56:42 +0000
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