A keylogger is a type of spyware that records your keyboard strokes and sends them to a third party. This third party may be an employer who wishes to monitor employee activity on company computers while everyone’s working from home.
The recipient may also be a cybercriminal looking to steal your passwords and access your financial accounts. In fact, modern keyloggers are capable of snooping on more than just your keystrokes. Some can track your browsing activity, take screenshots on command, and even access your emails and instant messages, increasing the probability of identity theft.
That said, keyloggers are no match for the latest in antivirus technology, and they fit a profile you can learn to recognize so you never fall prey to their sneaky tactics. Read on to learn more.
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Recognize the Signs
If your managers use keylogger software to keep work-from-home activity in check, it’s probably sophisticated enough not to affect your system’s performance and elude your attention. In this case, your best option is to limit personal Internet browsing to your personal devices.
If you encounter drive-by malware on a certain website, or a hacker manages to trick you into clicking on an infected attachment, you may end up with keylogger software that is of lesser quality and therefore easier to sniff out. Look out for the following signs.
- Your browser experiences a sudden slow-down in navigation speed.
- Your smartphone’s screenshot quality becomes noticeably poorer.
- There’s a delay in your typing and mouse clicks, signaling that malicious software is logging them behind the scenes.
Upgrade Your Antivirus Program
The best defense against a keylogger is an antivirus program with real-time protection against malware’s latest generation. Often, keyloggers include other threats like adware and ransomware that your antivirus provider must also keep up with at all times.
Antivirus companies like Malwarebytes that use artificial intelligence in their designs are your quickest way to peace of mind. This is because they offer preventative protection informed by heuristic analysis. Their programs keep your system safe from threats by detecting how their code is structured—before they have a chance to strike—and responding to them without interrupting your important work.
Why deal with the aftermath of hackers stealing your information when a robust cybersecurity program can protect you every moment of the day?
Avoid Common Mistakes
Critical thinking is another potent defense against keylogger attacks. If you learn to identify how hackers trick you into installing malicious software, you’ll be able to catch yourself instead of letting your guard down and putting your identity at risk. Boost your cybersecurity awareness by putting these tips into practice the next time you sit down to work.
- Recognize phishing emails by asking yourself, is it normal that the sender is messaging me about this, or does it seem out of the ordinary?
- Update your browser and operating system with the latest patches to minimize vulnerabilities hackers may take advantage of.
- Use a different password for every service to limit the extent of a possible security breach.
You can easily keep keyloggers at bay by honing your cybersecurity awareness and enlisting an antivirus program with automated threat detection and response. Make these changes today and keep your information safe from cybercriminals looking to profit from it.
