What does a keylogger do?

A keylogger is a type of surveillance software or hardware that records every keystroke made by a user on their computer or device. The primary purpose of keyloggers is to capture sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and other personal data, without the user's knowledge. This kind of tool can be malicious when used by hackers to gather information for unauthorized access or identity theft.

While improving system performance, protecting against data breaches, and creating backup copies of files are important functions in the realm of computer security and maintenance, they do not pertain to the specific functionality of a keylogger. Therefore, capturing keystrokes clearly defines the role of a keylogger in the realm of cybersecurity. Understanding this can help users recognize the risks associated with keyloggers and the importance of implementing security measures to protect personal data.