How To Detect a Keylogger on Your Phone

A keylogger records the keystrokes you make while using your device. This information is then passed to a hacker by way of a command-and-control (C&C) center. Using the data collected by the keylogger, the hacker can figure out your username and password for various online accounts. This makes keyloggers a significant cybersecurity threat, possibly as dangerous as ransomware and other malware.

You can typically detect a keylogger by observing the performance of your phone or whether someone else is trying to log in to one or some of your accounts.

What Are Keyloggers Looking For?

People who use keyloggers are looking to make a profit by stealing your data. They can do this by:

Selling your information on the black market

Spamming you with fake correspondence that looks like it comes from a legitimate email account, with the intention of getting you to divulge sensitive information

Committing identity fraud, such as making unauthorized purchases

As far as the assets they steal, keyloggers are typically in search of:
Names and social security numbers
Credit card and bank account information
Email addresses and passwords
Sensitive business documents
Social media account logins
401(k) info
Licensing keys for games and software
Stock trading info

How To Detect a Keylogger on an iPhone or Mac?

You can detect a keylogger on your iPhone or Mac by examining the performance of your device, checking notifications from two-factor authentication (2FA) systems, or checking for unwanted applications on your phone.

Can You Put Spyware on an iPhone?

The short answer is yes, you can put spyware on an iPhone. They run in secret in the background while snooping on your text messages and files.

How To Know if a Keylogger is Installed?

If a keylogger is installed, you may notice some or all of the following:

Your phone is using an excessive amount of data—even when you are not actively using it. This could be because hidden tools are running in the background and processing data from the internet.
Your phone freezes up a lot. Because keylogger software reads apps, it can cause them to run poorly or get hung up.
The battery gets hot—even when you are not using your phone. The reason for this is the keylogger is running in the background, taxing your battery.
You can hear background noise while using the phone.

Use Two-factor Authentication

To detect a keylogger in iOS, you can use 2FA, which requires a second form of identification, in addition to a name and password, when accessing an account. Whenever a hacker who has stolen your credentials via a keylogger tries to log in to an account, with 2FA, you will get a notification through the second authentication method, such as a passcode sent to your phone, for example.

How To Remove Spyware from IOS?

After you detect a keylogger in your phone, you will want to remove this kind of spyware, which essentially executes a phishing strategy without ever engaging you, the user. Phishing is used to steal login credentials and to install malicious software, such as Agent Tesla, which is a keylogger that attacks Windows machines. To get rid of spyware, you should first change your login details. This can prevent someone with your login information from getting into accounts that have the same details.

Then, update your operating system. This can get rid of keyloggers because the latest patch may include a remedy for your device. If that does not work, you should perform a factory reset on your device.

How To Detect a Keylogger on Android?

To detect keylogger malware on Android devices, check your device’s performance and behavior for some telltale signs.

What Is an Android Keylogger?

An Android keylogger is a program that runs in the background of your device, keeping track of the keystrokes you use on your phone or tablet. The keylogger can then send that information to a hacker who can use it to access sensitive accounts.

Signs that there is an Android Keylogger on your phone

The battery is draining quickly. Keyloggers take up extra battery power as they run. This may cause your battery to die faster than it normally would.
Your phone is hot. If your phone is running hot, that could also mean you have a keylogger installed because it is making your phone’s processor work harder than usual.
You receive strange text messages. A keylogger for an Android device is often installed using a text message. If you ever get a strange text, do not click on any links within it.
The phone is turning on and off. A keylogger can impact your operating system, causing it to malfunction. This may result in your phone turning on and off randomly.
Performance is slow. Keyloggers consume processing power in your phone, drawing necessary power away from other applications. This may result in your phone running slower than usual.

Detecting a Keylogger on an Android Phone

To find a keylogger on an Android phone, you can try:

Checking your phone’s downloads. Check the files that have been downloaded to your phone because the keylogger would have to get put on your phone by getting downloaded from the internet.
Installing and running antivirus software. Antivirus software can identify keyloggers quickly.

How To Detect a Keylogger on Windows

You can detect a keylogger on a Windows computer using a few different methods involving capabilities built into your device as well as external software.

Use the Task Manager to Detect Keyloggers

Keyloggers take up processing power and have to run a process while in operation. You can use Task Manager to see processes that are running and how much resources they are using.

Use Anti-rootkit Malware Solutions

Anti-rootkit malware software can detect different kinds of threats, including keyloggers. Once the software finds a keylogger, it removes it for you without putting a significant burden on your system.

Keystroke Encryption

Keystroke encryption makes it impossible for many keyloggers to read what you type. The hacker only gets a jumbled, nonsensical mix of characters.

How To Remove Keyloggers?

If you detect keylogger activity on your computer or device, here are some things you can do:

Uninstall dubious programs: If you find something in Task Manager that does not add up, chances are you have a keylogger on your device.
Clear temp files: Keyloggers usually hide behind temporary files, disguising themselves as legitimate files.
Reset your computer: When all else fails, you may have to reformat your hard drive and reinstall your operating system to remove a keylogger.
Install reliable anti-malware on your computer: Many anti-malware programs can detect and delete keyloggers. As long as you use the latest version supplied by a reliable company, you may be able to get rid of keyloggers on your computer.

To keep your device free of keyloggers, make it a habit to do the following:

Update your operating system: This can eliminate vulnerabilities that keylogger attackers have taken advantage of in the past but that developers have since patched.
Adjust your web browser security settings: By disabling any unwanted plugins and blocking malicious websites in your browser, you can get rid of sites and apps that may be installing keyloggers on your device.
Check for suspicious activity: Although this can be time-consuming, it is an important step. All you have to do is open Task Manager and check for every process and program that looks suspicious.

Frequently Asked Questions about Keyloggers

What is a keylogger?

A keylogger records the keystrokes you make while using your device. This information is then passed to a hacker by way of a command-and-control (C&C) center.

What is an Android keylogger?

How do you detect a keylogger in Android?

To detect a keylogger in Android, you can:

Check your phone’s downloads.

Install and run antivirus software.

How do you detect a keylogger in iOS?

You may have a keylogger in your iOS device if any of the following is happening:

Your phone is using an excessive amount of data—even when you are not actively using it.

Your phone freezes up a lot.

The battery gets hot—even when you are not using your phone.

How do you remove spyware from iOS?

To get rid of spyware, first, change your login details. This can prevent someone with your login info from getting into accounts that have the same details. Next, update your operating system. This can get rid of keyloggers because the latest patch may include a remedy for your device. If that does not work, perform a factory reset on your device.