FYI-SPY – Keystroke Logger
A keystroke logger is primarily used for the purpose of keystroke logging which is also known as keylogging. A keystroke logger used for keystroke trapping primarily serves the purpose of arresting and copying keystrokes by users of a PC. Presently, the loggers also detain operations through the mouse and take screenshots as well. Keylogging or keystroke logger serves an essential role of determining the various sources of blunders in the usage of the computer, or to track the activities of a user.
A keystroke logger is also put to work mainly for assessing the functionality of employees and also to determine the interaction level of the users with their systems. A keystroke logger is also helpful when it concerns the aspect of enforcement of a law or even getting proof of the breaking of a law, like hacking, getting passwords and endangering your network security.
A keystroke logger primarily comes in twin versions of hardware and software, and the various types of keystroke loggers are Local Machine software Keyloggers, Remote Access software Keyloggers, Hardware Keyloggers, Remote Access Hardware Keyloggers, Wireless Keylogger sniffers, Acoustic Keyloggers, and Electromagnetic Radiation loggers.The Local Machine software Keyloggers are categorized in four versions like Hypervisor-based, Kernel based, Hook based, and Form Grabber based.
The remote access software keyloggers are primarily keyloggers of the versions of local software and its operation is facilitated by 4 means like data uploading to an ftp account, data emailing to pre-decided mailing addresses, wireless data transmission and logging into local machines through the internet. Hardware Keyloggers promote keystroke logging through attachment of a physical hardware circuit to a computer (generally through the keyboard of a computer). This also has certain advantages over software loggers as it doesn’t rely on the OS of the computer.
The Remote Access Hardware Keyloggers are also recognized as Wireless Hardware Keyloggers and these also work like the hardware keyloggers, but the difference lies in the fact that the former is tracked through wireless communication. Wireless Keylogger sniffers tend to collect data packets that are transferred from the source of a wireless keyboard.
Acoustic Keyloggers attempt to record the sound that’s made while any one is typing on the keyboard and tries to recognize the users from the way they use the keyboard. They also tend to record the time differences between the keystrokes and the type of language used by the user. Electromagnetic Radiation loggers work as they capture electromagnetic elements produced by the keyboard, and for this they don’t have to be physically attached to the board.
A software keystroke logger tends to send out screenshots at regular time intervals, and also tend to record the internet connections including the visited website lists as well as the keystrokes on a computer. It is the most widely used and perhaps the best and most accepted keystroke logging option available today.
