What Is Keylogger - How To Find and Remove It Completely

Last updated: July 5, 2023 Reading time: 5 minutes
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What Is Keylogger - How To Find and Remove It Completely

If you think that you may have a keylogger installed on your computer, you need to take some steps to remove it. This article has outlined some methods for finding and eliminating keyloggers and steps to remove Keyloggers.

A keylogger is a type of spyware installed on a computer to track and record all users’ keystrokes. It allows someone other than the user to see everything typed, including passwords, credit card numbers, and sensitive information.

What Is a Keylogger and How Does It Work?

A keylogger is monitoring software that records keystrokes a user makes. They secretly work in the background to record information you type into the app or website and then send it back to the third party. They are often used by criminals to steal personal information, but employers can also use them to monitor employee activity. 

There are two types of keyloggers, i.e., hardware and software-based. The hardware ones are present between the computer’s port and the keyboard connector. In contrast, the software-based are the tools, downloaded apps, and malware that aims to infect your device. 

The data collected by keyloggers is sent back to the attackers by uploading the log data to databases, FTP servers, websites, or emails. However, if the keylogger comes with a large attack, the threat actors remotely log into the computer to download the keystroke data. 

How to Find a Keylogger On Your Computer?

If you think you may have a keylogger on your computer, there are a few ways to find it. One way is to use an anti-spyware program like Malwarebytes or Spybot Search and Destroy. These programs can scan your computer for spyware and malware, including keyloggers.

Another way to find keyloggers is to use the Windows Task Manager. 

  • Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Task Manager to open the Task Manager. 
  • Click on the Processes tab and look for any programs with the words “keylogger” or “spyware” in them.

If you can’t find a keylogger using these methods, you can also try running a virus scan. A virus scan will check your computer for any malware, including keyloggers.

Protecting Yourself Against Keyloggers 

Even if you have already removed a keylogger from your computer, it’s essential to take steps to protect yourself from future attacks. Here are a few tips:

  1. Install a good antivirus program and keep it up-to-date.
  2. Keep your operating system and software up to date.
  3. Be careful when opening emails and attachments, even if they appear from someone you know.
  4. Use a strong password that is not easy to guess.
  5. Install a firewall program to help protect your computer from attacks.
  6. Make sure your computer is appropriately backed up in case of a hard drive failure.
  7. Be careful when using public Wi-Fi networks. These networks are often not secure and can be used to steal your personal information.
  8. Don’t install software or download files from unknown sources.
  9. Use a pop-up blocker to help protect you from malicious websites.

By following the steps mentioned above, you’ll prevent keyloggers from mining your data. 

How to Remove Keyloggers From an iPhone?

Keyloggers can also be installed on iPhones and other mobile devices. If you think you may have a keylogger on your iPhone, you can do a few things to find it and remove it.

The first thing you should do is check your settings to see if there is an app that you don’t remember installing. 

To do this, go to Settings > General > Profile(s) or Device Management. If you see an app listed here that you don’t remember installing, the app is likely a keylogger.

You can also check your keyboard history to see any suspicious entries. 

To do this, go to Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard History. If you see any entries you don’t recognize, they were likely typed by someone who had access to your phone.

If you think you may have a keylogger on your iPhone, the best thing to do is to restore your phone to its factory settings.

How to Remove Keyloggers on Mac?

If you think you may have a keylogger on your Mac, you can do a few things to find and remove it. First, open up the Terminal app and type in the following command:

sudo find / -name “*keylogger*”

This will search your computer for files or folders containing the word “keylogger.” If you find any results, you can then use the “rm” command to remove them.

Another way to find and remove a keylogger on Mac is by using a third-party app like Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes can scan your computer for any traces of malware, including keyloggers. If you find a keylogger, you can remove it with just a few clicks.

How to Remove Keyloggers From Android?

Keyloggers can also be installed on Android devices and can be used to track everything you type on your keyboard. If you think you may have a keylogger on your Android device, you can do a few things to find it and remove it.

The first thing you should do is check your app permissions. 

  • Go to Settings > Apps, and then select an app. 
  • Scroll down to the Permissions section and see if the app has permission to access your keyboard. If it does, you should remove the app immediately.

You can also check for keyloggers by using an anti-spyware app. Several apps can scan your device for spyware and malware and will alert you if they find a keylogger.

Final Thoughts

Keyloggers are a type of malware that can be used to track you without your consent. If you think you may have a keylogger on your computer, the tips above will help you remove and prevent them from further targeting your computer. 

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About the Author

Waqas is a cybersecurity journalist and writer who has a knack for writing technology and online privacy-focused articles. He strives to help achieve a secure online environment and is skilled in writing topics related to cybersecurity, AI, DevOps, Cloud security, and a lot more. As seen in: Computer.org, Nordic APIs, Infosecinstitute.com, Tripwire.com, and VentureBeat.

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