Keystroke logging

Keystroke logging (often called keylogging) is a diagnostic used in software development that captures the user's keystrokes. It can be useful to determine sources of error in computer systems and is sometimes used to measure employee productivity on certain clerical tasks. Such systems are also highly useful for law enforcement and espionage—for instance, providing a means to obtain passwords or encryption keys and thus bypassing other security measures. However, keyloggers are widely available on the internet and can be used by anyone for the same purposes.

Federal Bureau of Investigation

The FBI used a keystroke logger to obtain the PGP passphrase of Nicodemo Scarfo, Jr. He pleaded guilty to running an illegal gambling operation in 2002 ("Mobster's son pleads guilty of gambling; computer spying helped seal case" Associated Press, 1 Mar 2002). The FBI has also reportedly developed a trojan-horse-delivered keylogger program known as SpyMyPC PRO.