A keylogger is a program that records every keystroke made by users. They are primarily used by cybercriminals to intercept the submission of sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers.
What is a Keylogger?
Key takeaways
Keyloggers can be used legally and illegally. Examples of legal uses of keyloggers include law enforcement monitoring for criminal activity and company's monitoring for internal threats on their devices.- There are two categories of keyloggers - hardware and software.
- Kernel keyloggers are the most complex type of keylogger. Anti-rootkit software is required to detect them because they're designed to hide behind legitimate computer processes.
Reviewed by
No items found.
Author
Edward Kost
Reviewed by
See UpGuard In Action
Book a free, personalized onboarding call with one of our cybersecurity experts.
More from our blog
Learn more about the latest issues in cybersecurity.
UpGuard’s Future: The Strategic Edge Your Security Team Needs
UpGuard’s Future: The Strategic Edge Your Security Team Needs
Start unifying your security and improve your posture in real-time with UpGuard’s CRPM platform. Lead your team into the next era of cybersecurity today.
.jpeg){kind=avatar}
Revashni Moodley
September 26, 2025
Compounding Intelligence: UpGuard’s GRID and 1+1>2 Approach
Compounding Intelligence: UpGuard’s GRID and 1+1>2 Approach
Tired of fighting fires? Learn how UpGuard’s CRPM platform, powered by the GRID and 1+1>2 effect, helps you control your security posture proactively.
Revashni Moodley
September 16, 2025
Sign up for our newsletter
UpGuard's monthly newsletter cuts through the noise and brings you what matters most: our breaking research, in-depth analysis of emerging threats, and actionable strategic insights.
Free instant security score
How secure is your organization?
