how to protect yourself against keyloggers

How do keyloggers infect your devices in the first place? There are several ways, including these. Every time a bank customer presses the buttons on the criminal’s fake keypad - thinking it’s the legitimate ATM keypad - the keylogger records the keystrokes and forwards the information to the cybercriminal.

These so-called Trojan-spy programs can track user activity - including keystrokes and screenshots -save the data to your hard disk, and forward the information to cybercriminals.Īn example of a hardware-based keylogger is the keyboard overlay on an ATM. That means they’re hiding in your system. Many keyloggers have root-kit functionality. Once captured, your data can be retrieved by the person on the other end of the keylogger program. The majority of keyloggers are used to capture payment card data you might enter online with a device. How do keylogging activities benefit cybercriminals? The data captured can include your personal and financial information, PIN codes and account numbers, credit card numbers, usernames, passwords, and other sensitive data - all of which can used to commit fraud or identity theft. Keyloggers are insidious because you don’t know they’re there, watching and recording everything you type. What is a keylogger and how does it work?Ī keylogger is a type of spyware that can be used to track and log the keys you strike on your keyboard, capturing any information typed. Learn how a keylogger works, how this system monitoring tool could threaten your personal information, and what you can do to help protect yourself. The monitoring tool is designed to covertly track the keystrokes you type on your computer and other devices to record passwords and other sensitive personal information.

Your personal information could be even more exposed if keyloggers gain access to everything you type on your computer.īoth threats exist because of keystroke logging, also known as keylogging or keyboard capturing.

How? Criminals may be able to capture your PIN using keystroke logging surveillance via keyboard overlays. But when you type your PIN code on the ATM keyboard, you could be jeopardizing your finances You probably feel secure using an ATM at your bank to make financial transactions.

How to protect yourself against keyloggers