Keylogger
What is Keylogger?
Malicious software or hardware that secretly records every keystroke you type — capturing passwords, credit card numbers, emails, and other sensitive information. Keyloggers are typically delivered through phishing emails or bundled with pirated software. Anti-malware tools with behavioural detection can identify keylogger activity, and password managers that auto-fill credentials bypass keystroke capture entirely.
Anti-malware protection (BC.3) detects most software-based keyloggers.
Why this matters for Canadian businesses
Understanding Keylogger is part of building a security programme that meets the 13 Baseline Cyber Security Controls published by the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (ITSM.10.089) — the Government of Canada's recommended minimum standard for small and medium organizations. You can measure your organization against all 13 controls with our free cybersecurity assessment.
For the wider picture on how Canadian small and medium businesses are performing, see The Cybersecurity Canada Report 2026, our annual benchmark of incident rates, breach costs, and regulation affecting Canadian organizations.
Cite This Page
Suggested citation:
Cybersecurity Canada (2026). Keylogger. Retrieved from https://cybersecuritycanada.ca/glossary/keylogger/
Permanent URL: https://cybersecuritycanada.ca/glossary/keylogger/
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