KeySniffer / Keylogger Malware

This type of malware is designed to steal a victims personal information.

Keysniffers can be installed in a variety of ways, including through email attachments, websites, at the computer directly or through backdoor malware. Typically a keysniffer is installed without the knowledge of the person using the computer and will run in the background stealthily.
Its aim is to essentially record every keystroke made by the person using the compromised computer. This can include usernames, passwords, banking information like accounts numbers and other online activity. The keysniffer will then transmit that data to the scammer who goes through the logs and extracts the information they need.

This type of malware is prolifically used by Identity theft scammers because they will often given the scammer enough information to enter various online accounts like bank accounts, Paypal accounts, EBay accounts and accounts for various social networking sites, amongst others. From here a scammer can embark on many other different scams, like reshipping scams, credit card fraud, check cashing fraud and scams that involve social networking scams like the Facebook Friend in Need scam.

Keysniffers can be extremely hard to remove because the victim will often not know they are installed since they are designed to be furtive. To pre- emptively prevent this type of malware, follow basic common sense guidelines such as being careful of websites and links visited and do not run files or attachments from unknown senders. If you suspect your computer may be compromised, run up-to-date antivirus software which should find any threats installed on the computer.

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