keylogger

[ kee-law-ger, ‑-log-er ]

noun

1. a software program or hardware device that records all keystrokes on a computer keyboard, used either overtly as a surveillance tool or covertly as spyware.

Word History and Origins

Origin of keylogger¹

First recorded in 1990–95; key ¹( def ) + logger ¹( def )

Example Sentences

“It looks like a normal flash drive, but it’s not. It’s actually a nasty little device called a keylogger. It copies everything someone types on a computer. It’s basic gear for a hacker.”

From Literature

She reached into her pocket and pulled out the keylogger that she’d found in her desk the first day.

From Literature

If a computer is attacked by malicious software, or malware, a “keylogger” may be installed for surveillance of keystrokes, including credit card data.

From Seattle Times

It’s the only way to guarantee that there’s not a keylogger—which lets the person who installed it monitor every single thing you enter on your keyboard, including passwords, emails, etc.—or some other kind of spyware that they’ve put on there.

From Slate

He described the monitoring as similar to a keylogger that records everyone’s keystrokes.

From Washington Times