Keystroke Capture

Synonyms

Keycatching; Keylogger; Keystroke logger; Keystroke recorder

Introduction

Keystroke capture (KC) tracks a computer or mobile device users’ keyboard activity using hardware or software. KC is used by businesses to keep employees from misusing company technology, in families to monitor the use possible misuse of family computers, and by computer hackers who seek gain through secretly possessing an individual’s personal information and account passwords. KC software can be purchased for use on a device or may be placed maliciously without the user’s knowledge through contact with untrusted websites or e-mail attachments. KC hardware can also be purchased and is disguised to look like computer cords and accessories. KC detection can be difficult because software and hardware are designed to avoid detection by anti-KC programs. KC can be avoided by using security software as well as through careful computing practices. KC affects individual computer users as well as small, medium,...