Cybercriminals are always looking for tools to steal personal data, and keyloggers are one of their most dangerous and invasive tools. A keylogger is a type of malware that secretly records everything you type — and if you think about everything you type in the space of a day, you know that this could include a lot of sensitive information. Passwords, credit card numbers, and personal messages would all become visible to your hacker as you type them.
But how do you know if a keylogger is on your system? And if you find one, how do you remove it? In this guide, we’ll explain how to check for keyloggers, how to remove them, and the best ways to prevent future attacks.
What Are Keyloggers and How Do They Work?
Keyloggers are malicious programs designed to monitor and record keystrokes on a device. Cybercriminals use them to steal sensitive data, such as:
- Login credentials
- Banking information
- Personal correspondence
Keyloggers can be either software-based or hardware-based. Software keyloggers are malware programs installed on your system without your knowledge. They run in the background and record everything you type. Hardware keyloggers are physical devices attached to a computer, such as USB keyloggers plugged into a keyboard port.
Once a keylogger collects enough information, it sends the data back to the attacker, who can then use it for fraud, identity theft, or other malicious activities.
How to Check for Keyloggers on Your Device
Software-based keyloggers are designed to be stealthy — however, there are signs that your system could be infected.
- Unusual system slowdowns: If your computer is running slower than usual, a keylogger may be using system resources in the background.
- Unfamiliar processes in Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac): Hidden keylogger programs may appear as suspicious background tasks.
- Delayed keyboard input: If your keyboard is lagging or behaving strangely, a keylogger may be intercepting your keystrokes.
- Unexpected pop-ups or system crashes: Some keyloggers interfere with system processes, causing errors or frequent crashes.
How to check for keyloggers on Windows 10 and Mac
On Windows:
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and look for any suspicious processes
- Check startup programs (Task Manager > Startup tab) and disable anything unfamiliar
- Scan for hidden programs using the Command Prompt (tasklist command)
- Check installed applications (Control Panel > Programs and Features) for unknown software
On Mac:
- Open Activity Monitor (Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor) and look for unfamiliar processes
- Check login items (System Settings > Users & Groups > Login Items) for unknown programs
- Use Terminal to inspect active processes (ps -A command)
If you find a suspicious application or process, research it online: other users might have already experienced it, and identified it as a threat. Reporting and discussing known viruses with other users is one of the ways you can make the internet safer.
How to Remove Keyloggers from Your System
If you suspect a keylogger is on your device, follow these steps to remove it.
- Run a full system scan with antivirus software. A good antivirus or anti-malware tool can detect and remove keyloggers. Ensure your antivirus software is up-to-date, then run a full system scan to identify threats.
- Remove suspicious apps. Manually uninstall any unknown programs, or programs that you no longer use.
- Check and remove malicious browser extensions. Keyloggers can sometimes hide in browser extensions, so remove anything suspicious.
- Reset your system if necessary. If the keylogger symptoms persist, consider performing a system reset to remove any deeply embedded malware.
- Change your passwords. After removing the keylogger, immediately change your passwords, especially for banking, email, and social media accounts. Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
Preventing Future Keylogger Attacks
Now that you know what a keylogger is, how to detect them, and how to remove them, here’s how to avoid getting caught by a keylogger in the first place.
Use reliable security tools for prevention
Install trusted antivirus software with real-time protection, especially one that makes use of a firewall to monitor incoming and outgoing network activity. If keyloggers are a particular concern, consider using anti-keylogger software that specifically detects and blocks unauthorized keystroke logging.
Additional security measures
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): this adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for hackers to access your accounts.
- Be cautious with downloads: only download software from official websites. Avoid cracked software or suspicious links.
- Keep your system updated: regularly update your operating system, browsers, and applications to patch security vulnerabilities.
- Use a password manager: this allows you to store and autofill passwords securely, reducing the need to type them.
Recognizing and Avoiding Keylogger Scams
Cybercriminals often use phishing emails, malicious downloads, and fake software to trick users into installing keyloggers. While the number of phishing attempts has fallen slightly in the past few years, likely due to increased awareness and computer literacy, it’s still an increasingly common form of attack; there were just under 300,000 phishing victims in the US in 2023. In 2018 the annual number was just 26,397.
To avoid a phishing attempt that lands a keylogger on your device, don’t open suspicious email attachments or links: hackers often use fake invoices, tracking notifications, or urgent warnings to spread malware. Avoid free software from unknown sources, as many keyloggers are bundled with pirated or unverified software downloads. Always be cautious with public computers, and avoid using them for any sensitive data entry wherever possible. Cybercriminals may install hardware keyloggers on public or shared computers to steal data.
Keep your keyboard clean
Keyloggers are one of the most dangerous types of malware, but with the right security practices, you can protect yourself from attacks. For more information and support from cybersecurity experts, reach out to our tech support today.
FAQ
Can System Mechanic Ultimate Defense detect keyloggers?
Yes, System Mechanic Ultimate Defense can detect and remove many types of malware, including keyloggers. Running a full system scan with System Mechanic Ultimate Defense or a similar anti-malware tool can help identify hidden keyloggers.
Are keyloggers illegal?
It depends: keyloggers are illegal when used to steal personal information without consent. However, employers and parents may legally use keyloggers for monitoring purposes, as long as it complies with privacy laws.
What are the warning signs of keylogging?
Common signs include:
- Slower system performance
- Unusual keyboard lag
- Unfamiliar processes running in
- Task Manager or Activity Monitor
- Unexpected pop-ups or system crashes
How do I know if someone is tracking my keystrokes?
You can check for keyloggers by:
- Running a full system scan with antivirus software
- Inspecting running processes in Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac)
- Checking for unknown startup programs
What is an example of keylogging?
An example of keylogging is a malicious software program recording every keystroke you type and sending the data to a hacker. Cybercriminals use keyloggers to steal banking details, passwords, and private messages.
