Top Antivirus Software for Windows 7

What are Keyloggers and How to Defeat Them

Hackers advance through their attacks by stealing user credentials, which they'll use to further take funds, confidential information, and even identities. Typically, these cybercriminals utilize the Dark Web to collect sets of credentials leaked during massive data breaches but it's becoming more and more popular for them to opt with targeted attacks using keyloggers nowadays.

Top Antivirus for Windows 7

How do keyloggers work?

Keyloggers are initially designed to covertly track and log the keystrokes made on a keyboard. What most people probably don't know is that keyloggers are usually legal, especially for companies that monitor their employees or for law enforcement bodies that use the technology to keep tabs on suspects.

The problem is that cybercriminals have long since then discovered to use keyloggers as their primary weapon in stealing user data. Without exerting much effort on their end, hackers only have to wait until a person logs in to their computer and automatically feed them sensitive information such as the email content, usernames and passwords, as well as financial information like credit card numbers, Social Security numbers or PINs.

Let's take a closer look at the three types of keyloggers used by malicious actors these days.

  • Software

    This keylogging is done through the Windows function SetWindowsHookEx, which monitors all keystrokes. Some examples are simple software basis, hypervisor basis, kernel basis, API basis, form-grabbing basis, man-in-the-browser basis (MITB), and remote access basis.

  • Hardware

    Very small inline devices propped between the keyboard and the computer that can go undetected for long periods of time. Some examples of hardware keyloggers include keyboard additional hardware, firmware basis, keyboard and mouse sniffer, keyboard attachments, acoustic keylogger, collecting electromagnetic waves, video surveillance, physical trace analysis, and smartphone sensors.

  • Kernel/driver

    This type of keylogger located at the kernel level, which receives data directly from the keyboard or other input devices. It switches the core software for interpreting keystrokes and can be programmed to be virtually untraceable by being executed when the computer is turned on before any user-level applications start.

Protection Against Keyloggers

  1. Execute proper user education

    Well-presented user education can go a long way towards the prevention of keyloggers and other spyware. Create and implement company policies that will remind employees of the dangers and consequences of data breaches and the necessary safety measures to fight against them.

  2. Use a reliable antivirus

    Keyloggers and other malicious programs typically lurk on websites or hide in downloadable files, waiting for oblivious victims to fall into their trap. This is why implementing the top antivirus for Windows 7 or other operating systems works as part of a comprehensive protection approach against keyloggers. Trusty products such as the Comodo Internet Security (CIS) has the capacity to catch keyloggers before they can be installed on your system.

  3. Utilize a password manager

    Unsurprisingly, keyloggers are unable to record what you don't type. As such, it's a smart move to utilize a well-founded password manager that will properly and securely save and sync your login credentials. Don't forget to change your passwords frequently as well as it is a good practice of protecting your account in general.

  4. Consider a VPN for extra protection

    Apart from your web browser, a powerful VPN encryption also protects your emails, Skype conversations, online banking, and everything you do or see online no matter where you are.

  5. Consider using a virtual machine

    A virtual machine or virtual operating system lets users install software that might be suspect in a virtual area of their computer to isolate them and the threat of a keylogger, from the trusted parts of the device. The closed environment of a virtual machine keeps threats completely separate from your main and protected operating system. This is something you no longer have to worry about when you go with Comodo Internet Security (CIS). Apart from being the top antivirus for Windows 7, 8 and 10, it already includes a patent-pending auto-containment, where unknown executables and other files that request runtime privileges automatically run in a virtual container that does not have access to your host system's resources or user data.

    Keyloggers usually find their way into the devices of incautious users through the downloads of something that shouldn't have been downloaded or clicking on a link that shouldn't have been clicked. As such, in addition to using the top antivirus for Windows 7, 8 or 10, or whatever OS you’re utilizing, it's crucial to always be vigilant to mitigate this risk. Download applications and files only from reliable sources and think twice before opening suspicious emails – especially before clicking links in them.

Comodo Internet Security

Use Comodo Internet Security to safeguard your computer against dangerous viruses including keyloggers. For only $29.99, you can get a reliable security solution with the following features: antivirus, antispyware, anti-rootkit, bot protection, Defense, auto sandbox technology, and memory firewall.

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