Security: Keylogger Threats Rise 65%

Secretly installed programs that track keystrokes represent a growing security threat to consumers using PCs.
By Priya Ganapati
November 15, 2005

Threats from keyloggers, the stealthily installed programs that record computer keystrokes to help steal personal information, grew 65 percent this year, a study said Tuesday, marking a growing trend in hackers using malware for financial gain.

About 6,191 keyloggers were recorded this year, up from 3,753 in 2004, said iDefense, a security intelligence provider that is part of VeriSign. iDefense recorded 3,753 keyloggers in 2004, a huge leap over the 300 released in 2000.

“Keylogging is a very effective method for hackers,” said Joe Payne, vice president, VeriSign iDefense Security Intelligence Services. “Fraudsters can launch hundreds of these attacks around the world in seconds, gathering sensitive data to conduct large-scale monetary transfers for their illegal activities.”

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