Warning Signs Your Computer Has a Keylogger

Imagine having your every online move monitored and recorded. Imagine someone knowing every password, every login ID, and everything else you use, all without your knowing it's even going on.

This is the world of the keylogger, a particularly insidious form of malware that could be lurking on your computer or mobile device. If your computer, tablet, or smartphone has a keylogger infection, you could be unwittingly sharing your online secrets with hackers and criminals whose only goal is to steal your money and perhaps your identity as well.

So how do you tell if a keylogger has invaded your computer or other device? While these infections are designed to hide out under the scenes, they are not totally silent. If you know what to look for, you could save yourself a lot of trouble. Here are some key warning signs you should always pay attention to.

An Unexpected Drop in Performance

All that keylogging takes time and resources, and that will likely create a marked slowdown in the performance of the targeted device. Once the keylogger has been activated, you will probably notice that your computer, tablet, or smartphone needs to respond more quickly than it used to.

Any unexplained drop in performance or speed should be cause for concern and should be investigated thoroughly and ultimately resolved. Even if your device is not infected with a keylogger, it could harbor other types of malware.

Lag Time While Typing

In some cases, the installation of a keylogger may not result in an overall loss of performance. The writers of malware code have learned to carefully target their infections in an attempt to bypass detection, and some newer infections will not reveal themselves in the usual manner.

As a result, the only symptom you notice could be a lag while typing. If you find yourself waiting longer than usual for the letters to appear on the screen, a keylogger could be to blame, and this type of infection should be ruled out before you move on and investigate further.

Excessive Heat

If your formerly cool laptop is now heating up your lap or your tablet is overheating, a hidden keylogger could be to blame. These malware infections are resource-intensive and can generate a lot of heat as they operate.

An overheating computer or mobile device should be cause for concern in any event, as the high heat levels could damage the internal workings and render that device useless. No matter what is causing the problem, it's essential to remedy the situation immediately before further damage can be done.

Few types of malware are as insidious or as dangerous as the keylogger. This deceptively simple code can capture every keystroke you type, including your log-on IDs, passwords, and even the answers to those secret security questions.

Simply put, an active keylogger can render your other cyber defenses useless, opening you up to identity theft, fraud, and even draining your online bank accounts. If you recognize any warning signs outlined below, it is time to scan your computer and find that keylogger before it can do further damage.

If you discover a keylogger on your computer, you should immediately change your passwords. You cannot know how long the keylogger was active, and updating your credentials will be vital to your future online security.

You should also notify all banks, brokerage firms, retailers, and other institutions with which you have online accounts. Those banks and brokerage firms can then put fraud alerts on your accounts, keeping you safe and preventing the unauthorized transfer of funds. These proactive steps can help you protect yourself, your money, and your identity to stay safer online and in the real world.

*** BE SAFE and SECURE ONLINE ***