What is a keylogger?

A keylogger is defined as a type of malicious software or hardware designed to record keystrokes made by a user. This capability allows keyloggers to capture sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, and personal messages. By monitoring the user’s input without their knowledge, keyloggers pose a significant threat to personal privacy and data security.

The primary function of a keylogger focuses on stealthily logging and transmitting collected data to the attacker, which is why it is categorized as malicious. The implications of keylogger attacks can be severe, leading to unauthorized access to accounts and identity theft.

The other options describe different concepts that do not align with the function of a keylogger. For instance, while a security tool that encrypts data is crucial for safeguarding information, it operates in a manner opposite to that of a keylogger, which is used to breach security rather than enhance it. Similarly, a program that generates random keys for encryption complements data security practices rather than capturing input. Lastly, a method used for authorized tracking of employee activity would imply consensual oversight rather than the covert data capture associated with keyloggers.