What’s a Keylogger? And How Do You Beat One?

anti malware, Cyber Security, keylogger, malware, Ophtek, spyware, , , ,
30
Mar 2021

One of the simplest forms of spyware you can run into is a keylogger. Capable of stealing large amounts of data, a keylogger is simple yet dangerous.

In the world of cyber-security, keyloggers are a frequently mentioned hacking device. But what exactly are they? And what should you do if you fall victim to one? These are important questions as keyloggers can cause immense damage. The main interest of a keylogger is data. In particular, keyloggers have an intense hunger for personal data. Login credentials, banking details and social security information are all at risk. Therefore, it’s critical that you know what a keylogger is, how it works and how to protect yourself.

Luckily, we’ve put together a quick guide to give you the lowdown on keyloggers.

A Beginner’s Guide to Keyloggers

As we have established, keyloggers thrive upon harvesting data from their victims. The simplest way that a keylogger can do this is by monitoring and recording the keystrokes that are made on an infected PC. The software behind a keylogger is simple and can quickly be installed on a PC either manually, through an infected website or as part of a malware package. Once it’s installed, the keylogger will work silently in the background as it records data. The harvested data will then be routinely transmitted to a remote server.

A keylogger can quickly harvest data that puts both organizations and their customers at risk. Not only can personal details be stolen and used for criminal means, but financial accounts can also be compromised. Almost all modern malware will contain some form of keylogger; this is unlikely to change while users continue to use their keyboards to enter data into PCs. But you don’t need to fear keyloggers. As long as you know how to protect your PC then you should be able to benefit from peace of mind.

Beating Keyloggers

It’s impossible to provide 100% protection against keyloggers, but it’s possible to strengthen your defenses to their maximum. And you can do this by carrying out the following:

  • Two-Factor Authentication: One of the best methods for thwarting hackers is by using two-factor authentication. Organizations can easily generate unique authorization codes that are forwarded to an individual’s phone/personal device. These one-off codes ensure that employees can gain access to their network, but, even if this code is harvested, it is useless.
  • Monitor Network Activity: A keylogger will need to contact its remote server to transmit its stolen data. But, to do this, it will need to leave your network. And this network activity can easily be monitored at your end. Any unusual traffic or external destinations should be investigated immediately and blocked if any malicious activity is suspected.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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5 Different Types of Malware to Look Out For

botnets, fileless malware, malvertising, malware, Ophtek, Ransomware, spyware, , , , , ,
06
Oct 2020

The world of malware is a complex one due to the sheer variety of forms it can take. And it’s these differences which make it difficult to deal with.

The term malware is generally used as an all-encompassing term to describe a piece of malicious software. But, over the years, many different strains of malware have emerged as hackers evolve their tools and techniques. These strategies are often put into action to help avoid detection, but sometimes these new strains are the result of changes in technology.

Regardless of the reasons for developing a new malware variant, the end result is the same: a threat to your PC.

It’s vital that these threats are countered to protect your networks and your data; the best way to secure this safety is by understanding the different types of malware.

Identifying the Most Common Malware Variants
It’s difficult to put a precise number on all the malware strains that are out in the digital wild, but these are five of the most common forms:

1. Ransomware: One of the most debilitating forms of malware, in terms of finance and productivity, ransomware has generated many headlines over the last few years. It’s a type of malware which infects PCs and encrypts crucial files. The only way to decrypt these locked files is by paying a ransom, usually demanded in an untraceable cryptocurrency, in order to obtain a key for their release.

2. Malvertising: We all find online adverts irritating, but usually all we have to do is either close or mute the advert. With malvertising, however, things are more sinister. A new take on malware, malvertising laces legitimate online adverts with malicious files . And what’s most troubling about this malware strain is that it doesn’t require any user action e.g. clicking on the advert. If the advert runs then the malware is active.

3. Botnets: Hackers like to strengthen their attacks and one of the simplest ways for them to achieve this is by infecting large numbers of PCs. By collecting together whole networks of PCs, a hacker can use these numbers, and associated processing power, to launch large attacks on other networks and websites. These botnets are created through malware attacks and are causing particular problems within IoT networks.

4. Spyware: Data is crucial to organizations and, due to its value, is also highly prized by hackers. Not only can data be used to access secure systems, but financial data is extremely valuable. Therefore, hackers are keen to steal this data; spyware represents one of the easiest methods of achieving this. Once a PC is infected with spyware it’s every action is monitored, logged and transmitted e.g. keystrokes are recorded to reveal sensitive login details.

5. Fileless Malware: One of the more recent developments in malware, fileless variants are exactly what they sound like: no files necessary. Fileless malware sidesteps the traditional route of operating within the hard drive and, instead, works within a PCs memory. This is a clever approach as anti-malware software concentrates on hard drive activity. From the relative safety of a PCs memory, fileless malware leaves little evidence of its presence.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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