How Does Antivirus Detect Keyloggers ?

Would you like it if someone watches over all your online activities? Not at all. We all value our online security and privacy. 

No one would want their online activities to be disclosed to hackers and cybercriminals. But there are people who can be spying on what you do online, even what you type. 

Hackers can gain access to your card credit information, bank account details, email passwords, and other credentials. Hackers use keyloggers to gain access to the sensitive content of online users. 

Does antivirus detect keyloggers? Yes, some high-rated antivirus programs can detect keyloggers. Antivirus uses behavior analysis and heuristics to catch keyloggers in your system. 

However, antivirus software can catch keyloggers only after they have entered your systems. Anti-malware software or keyloggers cannot detect keyloggers unless they are a known threat. 

Antivirus manufacturers offer high-security services to protect your sensitive content. Spyware protection will safeguard your interests from the eyes of the hackers. 

Hackers can easily create keyloggers that will infiltrate into your computer. They use technologies that will prevent the keylogger from being detected quickly. 

If the keylogger is new without a known code signature, your antivirus may take a while to recognize it as a possible threat. 

How To Find Out Whether Your PC Has A Keylogger?

There are some ways to know whether your PC has been infected with any malicious keylogger. You should always try to find a keylogger before it does too much damage to your sensitive information. 

Keyloggers and others are created every single day, victimizing hundreds and thousands of people. The following tips will help you locate the presence of a keylogger in your PC.

Notification Tray

Check the right corner of your taskbar where you can find the utilities and programs. The notification tray will show items like volume, systems running, volume, antivirus software, and other notifications. 

If you find a new icon in the notification tray that wasn’t previously there, it can be a keylogger or any other malicious software. You should locate the icon and find its name to immediately remove the software from your system.

Progress Bar

Press CTRL, Esc, and Shift buttons simultaneously to launch the task manager on your system. Access the processes tab to check the currently running program. 

If you find any .exe program from some unauthorized author, it can indicate the presence of a keylogger. You should end the program quickly before the hacker gets hold of your credentials. 

Keystroke Delays

While working on a document, you find that your keystrokes are getting slower; it can occur due to the presence of a keylogger.

Keystrokes often get delayed when hackers are monitoring or recording your activities. However, this tip doesn’t work for wireless keyboards that are placed at a distance from the computer. 

Your keyboard and computer should have an optimal range between them. If your wireless keyword is kept close to your computer, you should check for keystroke delays.

It is not easy to detect keyloggers in your system. Hackers use specialized coding systems and technology that makes it hard to locate. 

Your antivirus may take some time to discover keyloggers due to the rigorous coding by malware practitioners. 

Anti-Keylogging Features In Anti-Virus Software

Keyloggers can stay hidden in any area of your PC, where they are likely to go unnoticed. Some popular antivirus software may even fail to detect keyloggers and other advanced malware.

However, various antivirus programs can effectively detect such malware in real-time. These antiviruses will remove them from your computer to prevent any serious infection. 

High-rated antivirus programs come with certain anti-keylogging protection features, including :

Advanced scanning of malware

The antivirus program will detect all hidden keyloggers and other forms of malware present in your system.

Real-time malware protection

The antivirus program will detect and block the keyloggers and other malware in real-time. They will locate the virus attacks before they can harm you or your sensitive content. 

Protect your keystrokes

The antivirus will prevent hackers from accessing and tracking your keystrokes. It will protect your keystrokes even if the hackers manage to access your system.

Firewall protection

It will protect your computer network against all malicious online traffic. 

Virtual Private Network

The antivirus software will prevent all cybercriminals, internet service providers, and governments from using and tracking your private browsing content or data. 

Web Security and Online Protection

The antiviruses will detect and block all unsecured websites. Such websites run malicious coding scripts to read and track your keystrokes. 

The advanced protection features of antiviruses will prevent hackers from gaining access to users’ keystrokes. 

Advanced Password Manager

The antivirus will develop auto-fills login features, web forms, and secured passwords to protect your system from hackers. 

The web forms and login fields will have advanced security to protect them from potential keyloggers. 

Best Antiviruses With Enhanced Keylogger Protection

Norton 360

Norton manages to effectively detect, remove, and block all keylogger malware that may be planted on your system. It has a 100% detection rate with incredible anti-malware features like 

  • Device Optimization
  • Firewall
  • Webcam Security
  • Advanced keystrokes protection
  • Password manager
  • Cloud Storage 
  • Virtual Private Network

Bitdefender Total Security

It is incredibly accurate and fast in detecting all keyloggers or data-stealing spyware. It will prevent your private data from getting exposed. 

Bitdefender comes with additional features like a file shredder, VPN, password manager, firewall, and security scanner.

McAfee Total Protection

McAfee delivers accurate protection against keyloggers.  It comes with a VPN, browser extension, password manager, encrypted file storage, and system optimization tools. 

Avira Prime

Avira provides a cloud-based antivirus program that can prevent even all the advanced keylogger attacks. It offers features like 

  • Software auto-updater
  • Privacy settings optimization
  • Password manager
  • Device optimization
  • VPN

Total AV Total Security

Total AV provides robust protection from the latest cybersecurity threats, including keyloggers. The Total Security program of Total AV comes with a password manager, ad blocker, and VPN. 

Final Thoughts

Different antivirus programs offer different rates of keylogger detention. Some come with advanced web security and anti-malware features. 

While some antivirus software may fail to provide solid protection against keyloggers. Norton, McAfee, and some reputed antivirus companies provide reliable protection against all malware attacks, including keyloggers.