Keylogger

A keylogger ("keystroke logger") is malware ✕ Malware (from "malicious software") is the umbrella term for any harmful software — viruses, trojans, ransomware, spyware — that damages, spies on, or hijacks devices. More in the glossary → (rarely hardware) that secretly records every key you press. This gives attackers everything you type: passwords, banking details, messages, or card numbers. Software keyloggers usually reach a device as part of malware or via phishing ✕ Phishing is fraudulent messages that impersonate a trusted sender (like a bank or courier) to trick you into handing over passwords or login details. More in the glossary → and run invisibly in the background. You're protected by a good antivirus ✕ An antivirus is a program that detects, blocks and removes malicious software. Modern ones combine known signatures with behavior analysis. More in the glossary → that detects keyloggers, two-factor authentication, and a password manager that fills in logins automatically instead of you typing them. More in the best antivirus comparison.