A keylogger, sometimes called a keystroke logger or keyboard capture, is a type of surveillance technology used to monitor and record each keystroke on a specific computer. Keylogger software is also available for use on smartphones, such as the Apple iPhone and Android devices. Monitor the activities on any Android device with these efficiently hidden keyloggers. If you are interested in keyloggers, we will walk you through all the information you need regarding keyloggers. So let’s start our journey through keyloggers.

What exactly is a keylogger?

A keylogger is a software or application that enables you to record every activity on a device on which it is installed. It is basically a form of malware or hardware that keeps track of and records your keystrokes as you type. It takes the information and sends it to a hacker using a command-and-control server. A keylogger monitors and records such activities without the knowledge of the device user. 

History of keylogging

The use of keyloggers dates back to the 1970s, when the Soviet Union developed a hardware keylogging device for electric typewriters. The keylogger, called the Selectric bug, tracked the movements of the printhead by measuring the magnetic field emitted by the movements of the printhead. The Selectric bug targeted IBM Selectric typewriters and spied on U.S. diplomats in the U.S. embassy and consulate buildings in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Selectric keyloggers were found in 16 typewriters and were in use until 1984, when a U.S. ally who was a separate target of this operation caught the intrusion. Another early keylogger was a software keylogger written by Perry Kivolowitz in 1983. The user mode keylogger located and dumped character lists in a Unix kernel. The use of keyloggers has broadened, notably starting in the 1990s. More keylogger malware was developed, meaning attackers didn't have to install hardware keyloggers, enabling attackers to steal private data, such as credit card numbers, from unsuspecting victims in a remote location. The use of keyloggers started to target home users for fraud, as well as in different industries for phishing purposes.

Why do you need a keylogger?

There are various reasons why you might need a keylogger. Continue with us in this article to learn some of the reasons that we might need a keylogger.

Parental control

Parents may want to protect their children from cyber crimes. Keyloggers allow parents to monitor their social media interactions, geo-location, call details, web history, etc. All this makes keyloggers useful for parents.

Employee monitoring

Employers or business owners may also want to verify whether their employees are properly utilizing their working hours. They may also want to know if their workforce is honest enough for their organization. For this reason, employers also use such apps commonly. You might need remote staff monitoring software.

Stealing info

Cybercriminals also use keyloggers to steal passwords, bank details, financial information, etc.

Types of keyloggers

A hardware-based keylogger is a small device that serves as a connector between the keyboard and the computer. The device is designed to resemble an ordinary keyboard PS/2 connector, part of the computer cabling or a USB adaptor, making it relatively easy for someone who wants to monitor a user's behavior to hide the device.

A keylogging software program does not require physical access to the user's computer for installation. It can be purposefully downloaded by someone who wants to monitor activity on a particular computer, or it can be malware downloaded unwittingly and executed as part of a rootkit or remote administration Trojan (RAT). The rootkit can launch and operate stealthily to evade manual detection or antivirus scans.

How to install a keylogger on your smartphone ?

To install a keylogger on any Android device, you just need single-time physical access to that device. Most of the keylogger or spy apps are not available on Google Play. As a result, you must first enable app installation options from third-party sources. You need to install the app by permitting the monitoring of the phone. Once you do all this, you can use the keylogger account for necessary configurations, such as monitoring apps. This configuration will enable the app to run in the background and record all the activities. You can later log into the desktop version of this keylogger app and view all the details of the activities. 

To sum up

This article helped you understand keyloggers for your monitoring needs. Ethical and sensible use of a keylogger can help you safeguard your assets, whether it is about your kids or your organization.