I recently came upon a few articles that once again offered the computer security tip to use onscreen keyboards to defeat keyloggers. Most of these tips are suggesting to install an onscreen keylogger or make use of the default one of the operating system to defeat keyloggers while making transactions on the Internet or working with sensible data.
The theory that keyloggers can be defeated with onscreen keyboards is unfortunately a computer security myth. It is definitely true that some keyloggers, especially those that only record the keys that the user enters on the computer computer keyboard, can be defeated with onscreen keyboards.
There are however advanced keyloggers which make a screenshot of the onscreen keyboard while it visible on the computer screen and which record the mouse movements on the system. It is then a matter of simply reconstructing the mouse movement to know exactly what a user typed on a computer system.
There is only one 100% way of defeating keyloggers and that is to not use computer systems for sensitive information. That’s not always practicable and it is possible to reduce the chance that keyloggers are installed by running good antivirus programs.
Related posts:
Defeating Hardware KeyloggersHow to defeat most keyloggers on public computers
Waterproof Keyboards
Custom Paper Keyboards
Different Keyboards on Asus Eee PCs
Alternative Keyboards
Type Text with your Mouse to increase security
Use Additional Input Devices On One Computer
11 Responses to “Computer Security Myth: Defeating Keyloggers With Onscreen Keyboards”
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I’m not sure if there is something like that, but i would believe that there is an generic interface for all keyboards. And in the end no body can tell you what kind of keyboard you use.
If you got malware already in your system and active – you are pretty much screwed. It must not either get into PC at all or at least must not get access to system. Past that it’s using umbrella against flood. :)
i disagree with you. acctually screen keyboards are very useful.
in order for a keylogger to to record your screen 100% correctly, it would have to be taping or taking pictures, at a 1second or less ratio.
what is not the case,
the majority of the keyloggers, i try and counter test, are set to default “take screen shots every 30 seconds” or every 60 seconds and so one.
well, less than 4 seconds, you input your password on a screen keyboard.
so, yes, screen keyboards are very effective, though, definetly, not flawless. nothing is as you very well mentioned.
still if you want to give a try at a good keylogger “defender” i suggest you to try keyscrambler.
At least you can bypass hardware keyloggers.. though, these ain’t very common. Perhaps Martin, you could elaborate on some functions of the AKLog software anti-keylogger sometime ?
depends entirely upon your system and the protection under the hood…now what kinda keyloggers are we referring to…setup intentionally, malware or what???
There is a free Firefox and IE addin antikeylogger program called Keyscrambler. Check it out at http://www.qfxsoftware.com/.