Keystroke logging

Keystroke logging, often referred to as keylogging or keyboard capturing, is the action of recording (logging) the keys struck on a keyboard,^[1]^[2] typically covertly, so that a person using the keyboard is unaware that their actions are being monitored. Data can then be retrieved by the person operating the logging program. A keystroke recorder or keylogger can be either software or hardware.

While the programs themselves are legal,^[3] with many designed to allow employers to oversee the use of their computers, keyloggers are most often used for stealing passwords and other confidential information.^[4]^[5] Keystroke logging can also be utilized to monitor activities of children in schools or at home and by law enforcement officials to investigate malicious usage.^[6]

Keylogging can also be used to study keystroke dynamics^[7] or human-computer interaction. Numerous keylogging methods exist, ranging from hardware and software-based approaches to acoustic cryptanalysis.

^ Nyang, DaeHun; Mohaisen, Aziz; Kang, Jeonil (2014-11-01). "Keylogging-Resistant Visual Authentication Protocols". IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing. 13 (11): 2566–2579. doi:10.1109/TMC.2014.2307331. ISSN 1536-1233. S2CID 8161528.
^ Conijn, Rianne; Cook, Christine; van Zaanen, Menno; Van Waes, Luuk (2021-08-24). "Early prediction of writing quality using keystroke logging". International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education. 32 (4): 835–866. doi:10.1007/s40593-021-00268-w. hdl:10067/1801420151162165141. ISSN 1560-4292. S2CID 238703970.
^ Use of legal software products for computer monitoring, keylogger.org
^ "Keylogger". Oxford dictionaries. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
^ Keyloggers: How they work and how to detect them (Part 1), Secure List, "Today, keyloggers are mainly used to steal user data relating to various online payment systems, and virus writers are constantly writing new keylogger Trojans for this very purpose."
^ Rai, Swarnima; Choubey, Vaaruni; Suryansh; Garg, Puneet (2022-07-08). "A Systematic Review of Encryption and Keylogging for Computer System Security". 2022 Fifth International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Communication Technologies (CCICT). IEEE. pp. 157–163. doi:10.1109/CCiCT56684.2022.00039. ISBN 978-1-6654-7224-1. S2CID 252849669.
^ Stefan, Deian, Xiaokui Shu, and Danfeng Daphne Yao. "Robustness of keystroke-dynamics based biometrics against synthetic forgeries." computers & security 31.1 (2012): 109-121.

[1] Nyang, DaeHun; Mohaisen, Aziz; Kang, Jeonil (2014-11-01). "Keylogging-Resistant Visual Authentication Protocols". IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing. 13 (11): 2566–2579. doi:10.1109/TMC.2014.2307331. ISSN 1536-1233. S2CID 8161528.

[2] Conijn, Rianne; Cook, Christine; van Zaanen, Menno; Van Waes, Luuk (2021-08-24). "Early prediction of writing quality using keystroke logging". International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education. 32 (4): 835–866. doi:10.1007/s40593-021-00268-w. hdl:10067/1801420151162165141. ISSN 1560-4292. S2CID 238703970.

[3] Use of legal software products for computer monitoring, keylogger.org

[4] "Keylogger". Oxford dictionaries. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2013-08-03.

[5] Keyloggers: How they work and how to detect them (Part 1), Secure List, "Today, keyloggers are mainly used to steal user data relating to various online payment systems, and virus writers are constantly writing new keylogger Trojans for this very purpose."

[6] Rai, Swarnima; Choubey, Vaaruni; Suryansh; Garg, Puneet (2022-07-08). "A Systematic Review of Encryption and Keylogging for Computer System Security". 2022 Fifth International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Communication Technologies (CCICT). IEEE. pp. 157–163. doi:10.1109/CCiCT56684.2022.00039. ISBN 978-1-6654-7224-1. S2CID 252849669.

[7] Stefan, Deian, Xiaokui Shu, and Danfeng Daphne Yao. "Robustness of keystroke-dynamics based biometrics against synthetic forgeries." computers & security 31.1 (2012): 109-121.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]