Keylogger
Software or hardware that records every keystroke – passwords, search queries, chat messages.
A keylogger records every keystroke on a device – passwords, search queries, chat messages, banking data. Software keyloggers usually arrive via trojans; hardware keyloggers are physically inserted between keyboard and PC.
Protection: 2FA renders stolen passwords worthless. Virtual keyboards in banking apps neutralise software keyloggers.
Why this matters in 2026
Software keyloggers in 2026 are almost always part of banking trojans or info stealers (RedLine, Vidar). Hardware keyloggers are rare but real in targeted attacks against companies – they sit between USB keyboard and PC and exfiltrate via Wi-Fi. Antivirus reliably detects software keyloggers; only physical inspection helps against hardware ones.
How to protect yourself
For important banking sessions use the banking browser of an antivirus suite (Bitdefender Safepay, Kaspersky Safe Money) – it isolates keystrokes against keyloggers. Hardware keyloggers: on office PCs, visually inspect the keyboard connection and avoid USB splitters between keyboard and PC.