What is Keylogger? How to Detect and Remove it !

Keylogger is a unique program that is used to record the keystrokes you make using the keyboard on your computer or mobile device. This program can record every letter, script, message, or word you type on your device during different online activities, such as logging in to accounts and communicating in messages. It is like spyware that eavesdrops on everything you type during your online activities, such as looking for information, logging accounts, accessing banking, shopping, and emailing someone. This makes keylogger a dangerous software that can pose a serious threat to your online privacy and security.

Written by R K Dutt
Published on April 7, 2025

Cybercriminals use keyloggers to steal your personal information, including credentials, passwords, bank details, credit card numbers, and online business details. With this information they can steal your hard-earned money and do all types of malicious activities in your name. Hence, it is highly important to identify, block, and prevent keyloggers to protect your sensitive data and online privacy. That’s why, this post offers you comprehensive information about keyloggers and how to prevent them from spying on you. So let’s get started!

What are the Signs of a Keylogger Infection in Your PC?

Keylogger is a malware that sneakily operates on your PC and records your keystrokes. Due to its presence, your device`s operating system faces various types of issues, such as abnormal freezes and glitches. Reading these signs to detect the presence of a keylogger is essential to protecting your important data from malicious programs. Here are some signs that help you identify the presence of a keylogger in your PC:

1. Slow System Performance

If your system lags or works slowly during normal tasks and operations such as typing, internet browsing, or accessing programs, it is a strong sign that something is wrong with it. To confirm this, check your CPU or memory usage. If it is high, then your PC has a keylogger.

2. Unusual Error Messages

When a keylogger is operating on your device, it sends you many pop-ups and causes system errors to appear on your screen. You will also receive fake security alerts and updates. The keystroke recorder asks you to quickly fix these problems by clicking the attached links. These are all tactics that a keystroke recorder uses to manipulate the user into downloading viruses and malicious programs on the device.

3. Lag or Delay When Typing

If your typing is lagging or delayed when you are typing something on your screen, then it is a strong indication of a keystroke recorder on your PC. In this condition, the typing does not respond normally, and letters appear after you have typed or pressed three or four keys. When you experience this error, you need to diagnose the problem.

4. Unknown Programs in Task Manager

Keyloggers install unknown and malicious programs in your system that run in the background and use unexpected network resources. You can open and check your task manager to see those programs. To identify them, you can search for them online and learn about them. These programs steal your data and send it to the hackers operating from a remote location and server.

5. Increased Internet or Network Activity

When unknown and suspicious programs run in the background, they use higher than usual bandwidth usage of the internet services. The constant uploading of data leads to high network activity. In this process, the malware inside your computer constantly sends the data to the hackers operating at a remote location. These are signs that your PC is working under the influence of keylogging software.

6. Security Software Disabled

Keylogger is a powerful and complex program that can interfere with your operating system and render security apps and programs unresponsive or freeze. In this condition, your antivirus software fails to update and run security operations to detect and remove the hidden malware in the device. When you observe this condition in your device, know that it is a potential sign of malware in your computer.

7. Unknown Files or Logs on Your System

Keylogger stores all the data in a file and saves it on your system. If you find any strange files, text logs, or folders inside your system directories, then this is a strong indication of keylogging malware in your device. These files are named with random characters to prevent their recognition. But you have to identify them and get rid of them.

8. Browser Redirects and Strange Behavior

Keyloggers download additional malicious programs on your device, such as browser hijackers and adware. Due to this, when you search for something on your browser or search for something, it automatically redirects you to unknown sites. In addition to this, when you log in to some sites, autofill stores your credentials automatically. These are all signs of a keystroke recorder in your device.

How to Detect Keyloggers?

Detecting keyloggers is a complex process because you cannot easily identify them and remove them from your device. They secretly run in the background and steal your sensitive information and credentials. To do so, you have to follow a step-by-step process to detect them. So, here are some effective tips that will help you detect keyloggers on your device:

1. Check Task Manager for Suspicious Processes

Open your task manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc or Ctrl + Alt + Del.
Now go to the Processes tab.
In this tab, look for the unknown or suspicious processes. Mark the programs using high CPU, memory, or disk.
After this Google every program or process you have marked to learn about them. You will conveniently learn about them.

2. Monitor Network Activity

Open Resource Monitor. Search for it in the Start Menu or resmon.exe. Check the network tab for unusual data design and receiving from unknown programs. If you find any program communicating from an outside agent, then it is a potential sign of keylogging and data stealing.

3. Inspect Installed Programs and Features

Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
Inspect the list of software running in the system.
If you find an unknown or useless program, uninstall it at once.
Keyloggers are capable of disguising themselves using legitimate names. In such a case, find the file location. Legitimate processes are stored in specific system folders, e.g., C:\Windows\System32\ \ for system files. While fake versions of files (like svchost.exe) might be running from a different location.

4. Check for Unknown Startup Programs

Open Task Manager and go to the Startup tab.
Look for unknown or suspicious programs that automatically run when you start your computer.
If you find anything in the device, then disable the programs and research its name online.

5. Run a Full Antivirus & Anti-Malware Scan

Install a robust antivirus software with cutting-edge security features and update the virus definitions. After this, run a deep system scan to detect the hidden threats operating in your device. It will easily detect and remove the viruses or malware stealing your personal data, credentials, and online activities.

6. Use Specialized Anti-Keylogger Tools

If manual methods are difficult, and you are not able to go and look for every program one by one, then it is highly recommended that you use an anti-keylogger tool to detect and remove the threat effectively. Anti-keylogger tools monitor your device for suspicious logging processes and take timely action to prevent the danger in advance.

7. Check Browser Extensions & Settings

Go to your browser’s Extensions / Add-ons section.
Remove unknown or suspicious extensions.
Reset browser settings if you see unauthorized activities, such as changes in the homepage, search engine modifications, etc.

8. Review System Logs and Autostart Entries (Advanced)

You can use tools like Autoruns for Windows to review autostart programs and services. In the autorun locations, you can look for unknown or unsigned entries.

Step 1: Download and Run Autoruns

Download Autoruns from the official Microsoft site: Autoruns for Windows Official Download
Extract the ZIP file to a folder.
Right-click Autoruns64.exe (for 64-bit systems) or Autoruns.exe (for 32-bit systems) and Run as Administrator.

Step 2: Review Autostart Entries

Wait for Autoruns to load fully. It scans all known autostart locations. Then, go through these tabs:

Logon: This shows programs that run when you log in.
Scheduled Tasks: Scheduled programs that may run silently.
Services: Windows services are set to run automatically.
Drivers: Kernel-level drivers (check for unknown ones).
Explorer and Internet Explorer: Add-ons that start with Windows or Explorer.

Step 3: Analyze Entries

Look for suspicious entries, such as:

Unknown names.

No Publisher or Unknown Publisher.

Entries pointing to odd locations (e.g., C:\Users\YourName\AppData\).

Misspelled Windows services or apps (a common trick by malware).

9. Analyzing Event Logs with Event Viewer

Along with this, you should review the event logs using the Event Viewer to check for unusual activities. Here is how you can do this:

Step 1: Open Event Viewer

Press Win + X, and choose Event Viewer (or search for “Event Viewer”).

In Event Viewer, expand:

Windows Logs > System — For system events like driver issues.
Windows Logs > Application — For app crashes and issues.
Windows Logs > Security — For login attempts and other security-related events.

Step 2: Review System and Security Logs

Look for Errors and Warnings.
Watch out for services failing to start or drivers failing.
Security Logs: Look for Audit Failures and unusual login attempts.
Suspicious account behavior (failed logins, privilege escalation).

Step 3: Filter Logs (Optional)

Right-click a log (e.g., System), and choose Filter Current Log.
Filter by Event Level (e.g., Critical, Error).
Filter by Event ID if you’re looking for specific behaviors (e.g., login attempts: Event ID 4625).

How to Prevent Keyloggers?

Detecting keyloggers is not enough; you have to take strong security measures to prevent future attacks and infections to ensure complete protection against malicious attacks. Therefore, here are some quick and effective tips that help you prevent keyloggers and protect your privacy.

Don’t Download Unknown Files

Hackers plant loads of malicious software and files on different platforms with fake names. When you see them, they look authentic. But when you download them, they turn out to be malicious program files that infect your system and compromise sensitive data. Therefore, don’t download unknown files from third-party or unreliable platforms. Always find out their legitimacy and authenticity before you download any unknown file from any third-party platform.

Use a Virtual Keyboard

Using a virtual keyboard is an effective method of preventing keyloggers from recording your keystrokes on physical and software-based keyboards. A virtual keyboard bypasses physical keystrokes because you do not type anything using a keyboard but an on-screen key, using your mouse or a touchscreen, to type sensitive details in a window. Since virtual keyboards do not send any keystrokes through the usual keyboard input pipeline, keyloggers do not detect or log the input in such conditions. Hardware keyloggers do not work at all when you use virtual keyboards. Even if the malware records screen activity the key position won`t match the expected input.

Consider Voice-to-text Conversion Software

Voice-to-text conversion software is another safe option that helps prevent keyloggers from recording your keystrokes. Since you do not type anything using your physical or virtual keyboard, the keystroke recorder cannot record letters, numbers, or special characters. Thus, you can safely search and fill out your online information without using your hardware or software keyboards.

Secure Your Device With Antivirus Software

Fortify your device using reliable and robust 360 Antivirus Pro software to prevent malicious programs from infecting and running in your system. It can effectively detect and remove keyloggers, spyware, trojans and ransomware in your device and keep it clean from all the dangers. It protects your privacy and online security from hidden threats lurking in the dark spaces and malicious platforms. With antivirus software on your PC, you can browse the internet without any fear of security breaches and malware attacks.

Use a Password Manager

Another safe option to prevent keyloggers from recording your keystrokes and protecting your credentials is to use a smart password manager. It autofills all the details without typing making it difficult for keyloggers to steal your passwords. At the same time, a password manager does not auto-fill on a fake site that is created and used by cybercriminals to steal your credentials. More importantly, the credential manager uses strong, unique, and long passwords for each account. You get more security and protection for each account. At its height, you can also use biometric login involving fingerprint and face ID to access your critical accounts securely.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Always use a two-factor authentication method to protect your sensitive accounts including banking, social media, email, and messaging. If by chance someone got your login credentials such as User ID and Passwords he still won’t be able to access your accounts. Two-factor authentication involves verifying login activities through a second method that includes OTP, Email, or call. The hacker won’t be able to access your account without verifying the activity with the 2FA. Hence, enable two-factor authentication to double down your account security.

Uninstall Unknown Files

If you have any unknown files in your system then uninstall them before it’s too late. The unknown files are potential signs of malware that remain hidden in your system and run all the operations sneakily. These files use system resources that slow down the overall PC performance and interrupt other apps and programs in the system to crash or freeze. It becomes a potential cause of virus infection and system vulnerabilities. Hence, always make sure to uninstall unknown files from your device to keep it secure from malicious software.

Get rid of PUP and PUAs

Over time a lot of apps and programs accumulate in our device that we download and install for some reason. Now they no longer serve any purpose in our work. These apps and programs fall into PUP (Potentially Unwanted Programs) and PUAs ( Potentially Unwanted Applications). You need to get rid of them to ease your system resources and block the portals malware can use to sip into your devices. Clean and sorted devices provide seamless performance and secure user experience.

Keep System Up-To-Date

Keep your system up-to-date to prevent vulnerabilities and fix security gaps that develop over time. Make sure to download security updates as soon as they are made available by the vendors. Updated devices become immune to zero-day threats and the latest malware attacks. It will help you prevent keyloggers from infiltrating your system at the very outset. It maintains system integrity and security from hidden vulnerabilities.

Never Use Unknown External Devices

Hackers infect external devices such as USB, External Drive and removable components with the keyloggers. When you connect them to your PC the malware moves into your system and starts tracking your keystrokes. Hence, it is highly recommended to avoid using unknown external devices to connect to your PC. These are potentially infected devices that can infiltrate malware in your system. It will help you prevent infiltrating keyloggers into your system.

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