Keystrokes are pressing the keys in the keyboard that perform specific actions where each key has an important role in working with computers. It records the activity when we press the key or type something on the keyboard. While pressing the key, it will record in the machine and then the machine gives our results whatever we have typed.

The recording activity in the keystroke known as keystroke loggers records our activity when we press the keys in the keyboard. In this article, we will provide a brief explanation of keystroke loggers and their types. Also, we will cover the protection measures of keystroke loggers.

What is a Keystroke?

Keystroke occurs when we hit the key every time. It tells how you interact with the machine. Whatever the user types in the keyboard in that case keyboard captures the input that we provided. We can perform various operations in a keystroke. For example, in a single keystroke, our data is removed and in a single keystroke, we can add the date, etc. After the covide-19, many employees worked remotely in that case companies tracked and monitored the employee’s work to check how many times employees hit the key, which will help the employee track and analyze employee performance.

Keystroke plays an important role in inputting text, numbers, alphabets, and any special characters from the keyboard . Whether we have to input the text in a document or email it can be recorded the text in the device. Each time you press and enter the key in the system, it sends the signal to the device and lets the user that what text you input. It not only performs on standard keyboards but also on virtual keyboards. The best way to input the text is to use standard keyboard layout QWERTY.

Types of Keystrokes

Here are the types of Keystroke:

• Typing Keystrokes:- Typing keystrokes as word typing represents pressing the keys in the keyword to type the words, letters, numbers, etc., and add to the document including MS Word, notepad, etc, or to entering text in email.
• Function Keys:- Function keys are present at the top of a keyboard like F1 to F12. While pressing these keys we have to do many operations such as refreshing, increasing or decreasing the brightness, adjusting the volume of the computer, etc.
• Command Keys:- Command keys are used for executing a command in the operating system such as Ctrl+A, Ctrl+F, Ctrl+C, etc. These commands smoothly run the operating system by just pressing the keys. For example, if we want to copy specific text, we first select the text and then use the command Ctrl+C to copy the text.
• Modifier Keys:- It is the key that is combined with another key such as Shift, Ctrl, or Alt. If you have used Ctrl+A, it selects the object on your Windows screen but if you only use Ctrl, shift, and Alt without another key, it does not perform any actions.
• Mouse clicks:- Mouse clicks are not a keyboard, we use the mouse for selecting, dragging, and opening objects on our windows screen. By using a mouse click, we do not perform typing because it is only used for cutting, copying, delete specific parts.

What are The Importance of Keystroke?

Keystrokes are important because the command we press on the keyboard is to execute or run the application. It is an effective way to interact with the machine. As we all know the keyboard is the input device that allows users to press the key and input the text into the device. Keystroke helps to work faster and perform various actions such as pressing the Ctrl+c key that is for copy, Ctrl+V that is for paste, Ctrl+Z that is for undo, and many for keys we perform according to our needs. Knowing keystrokes is too helpful for disabilities or physical impairments person that can provide the means to the person to input the text or computer.

Keystroke Logging

Keystroke logging is recording and tracking our keyboard activities. It is the interaction between the user and the keyboard where the user is responsible for pressing the keys on the keyboard and performing specific actions. Whatever we have typed on the keyboard it records all the information from the device. It is also an attack where the hackers steal the victim’s sensitive information from the device when the victim presses the keys in the keyboard they capture every input that the victim provided because the hacker installs the monitoring software that is responsible for tracking and storing keyboard inputs. Keystroke logging is also used for legitimate purposes such as developers using keystroke logging for testing purposes.

Types of Keystroke Loggers

Keystroke should be classified into Hardware based keyloggers and Software based keyloggers-

• Hardware Based Keyloggers: This type of keylogger is present in the cables, and USB drive. Hackers insert keyloggers in cables and pendrive but the user does not know about this. When the user connects the USB drive, and cable to the computer and starts typing in that case hacker accesses every information of the user whatever they typed.

• Software Based Keyloggers: In Software-based keyloggers, hackers use spamming concepts such as phishing emails. They send emails that include the software download links and convince them to click the link and download it. When the user downloads the software, hackers access every piece of information when the user starts typing on the keyboard.

Uses for Keyloggers

Keyloggers have both the legitimate and malicious uses:

Legitimate Uses of Keyloggers

• Cybersecurity professionals can use keyloggers to detect vulnerabilities in the system.
• Companies or organizations use keyloggers to track employee’s activities.
• It is also useful to monitor your children’s online activity to reduce the risk and stay protected.

Malicious Uses of Keyloggers

• Hackers use keyloggers to steal the victim’s information. for ex- when the user visits any website such as a bank or any other website that asks for the credentials in that case when the user types in the keyboard, hackers access every input of the user via keylogger software.
• Hackers targeted the victims by sending unsolicited emails with fake links or malicious software to access the victim’s information.
• It tracks the online activities or private conversations that violate the policy.

Protection Against Keyloggers

Here are the preventive measures that protect keyloggers:

• Always enable two-factor authentication because whenever the hacker tries to log in to your accounts, the OTP or PIN will be sent to your mobile number or email address.
• Please Be aware of opening any spam email that contains malicious software links or avoid downloading any malicious software that tracks your activity and tracking your inputs that you pressed on the keyboard.
• Make a Strong password and use a password manager tool that is useful when you type a password on a keyboard it does not display on a screen in that case it is prevented from a keylogger attack.
• Install Anti-virus software that involves anti-keylogger protection to prevent keylogger attacks.

Advantages

• Easy to use keys such as Ctrl+C for copy, Ctrl+V for paste, Ctrl+Z for undo, etc. to save time.
• It tracks the employee’s activity that works remotely.
• If we keystroke on the keyboard, it also increases the typing speed.
• Keystroke recorders help track the time of the employees working remotely.

Disadvantages

• Hackers have to steal the victim’s information via keystroke loggers software and hardware.
• Using Keyloggers is to steal the organization or company information.
• By using keystroke loggers software your system performance will be slow.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a keystroke is an important tool that captures our input through the keyboard. We can perform many actions using different keys available on the keyboard. If they do not work on the keyboard we also use the virtual keyboard to input the text and click the keys present on a computer screen.

Frequently Asked Questions on Keystroke – FAQs

What is keystroke logging?

The method of capturing or recording the data on the computer. Hackers use keystrokes logging to steal usernames and passwords and do suspicious things.

What is typing biometrics?

The method of checking the identity of the user. When the user types something on the keyboard in that case the identity of the user is checked. for ex-login authentication.

How keystroke should be measured?

Keystrokes should be measured by time and the order of the key pressed by the user. It is analyzed by the typing speed and accuracy.

What is the difference between the standard keyboard and virtual keyboard?

The standard keyboard is the keyboard that is present on-screen where we have to manually type the text and be the format of QWERTY while the virtual keyboard is displayed on a computer screen where we have to click certain keys to enter text where we don’t type manually just like on-screen keyboard.