What is a keylogger?

A keylogger is defined as a software or hardware tool that records keystrokes. Its primary purpose is to capture the input typed by a user on their keyboard, which can include sensitive information such as passwords, messages, and other confidential data. By logging this information, keyloggers can be utilized for various purposes, including monitoring user activity and stealing information.

Understanding that keyloggers can take both a software form (installed on a computer to monitor keyboard activity) or a hardware form (often connected between a keyboard and a computer), it becomes clear why this definition identifies their core function accurately.

The other choices are misrepresentations of what a keylogger does. They either depict a different type of tool or aim altogether, such as damaging systems, boosting keyboard efficiency, or safeguarding user privacy. These misinterpretations highlight a broader misunderstanding of the keylogger's role in the context of cybersecurity and digital forensics.