Keystroke Logging Often Referred To

1 Keystroke Logging Often Referred To

Keystroke logging, often referred to as keylogging or keyboard capturing, is the action of recording (logging) the keys struck on a keyboard, typically covertly, so that the person using the keyboard is unaware that their actions are being monitored. Explain a situation where using a keyloggers may be used in either a legitimate (legal) way or used as a tool for criminals(Needs 200 words).

Keystroke logging can serve both legitimate and malicious purposes depending on the context of its use. In a legitimate scenario, employers or parents might use keylogging software to monitor computer activity to prevent data theft, ensure productivity, or protect minors from online threats. For example, a company may deploy keyloggers within their network to detect insider threats or prevent confidential information leaks, especially when employees access sensitive data. Similarly, parents may use it to supervise their children's online activities and ensure their safety from cyberbullying or inappropriate content. These uses are generally considered lawful if users are informed beforehand and consent is obtained, aligning with privacy policies and legal regulations. Conversely, cybercriminals may leverage keyloggers to covertly steal sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal data without the victims' knowledge. In these malicious instances, keyloggers are installed through malware, phishing attacks, or malicious websites, facilitating identity theft, financial fraud, or espionage. The clandestine nature of malicious keyloggers makes them a potent tool for criminal activities, often resulting in severe financial and reputational harm to individuals and organizations.

System Breach Example: Target

One notable system breach involved Target Corporation in 2013, which exposed the personal and financial information of millions of customers. Hackers gained access to Target’s network through a third-party vendor’s compromised credentials, allowing them to install malware on the company's point of sale (POS) terminals. This malware captured the credit and debit card numbers of customers making purchases at Target stores during the busy holiday season. The breach affected approximately 110 million consumers, making it one of the largest retail data breaches in history. It took Target several days to detect the malware, but the full scope wasn't understood until weeks later during a thorough investigation. The breach led to significant financial losses, lawsuits, and damage to the company's reputation.

The compromised data included cardholder names, card numbers, expiration dates, and CVV codes. The breach emphasized the importance of robust network security, including intrusion detection systems and comprehensive vendor management strategies. Information about this incident can be accessed through sources such as the official U.S. Department of Justice report or cybersecurity analyses available online. For example, a detailed account can be found in the article titled "How Target Missed the Signs" published by the New York Times, which outlines the timeline and the impact of the breach (https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/11/business/target-data-breach.html).

Recovering IT Resources from a Disaster

Organizations can recover their IT resources from a disaster through comprehensive disaster recovery (DR) planning and implementing resilient backup strategies. A key aspect of recovery is ensuring data backups are performed regularly and stored securely off-site or in cloud environments to prevent loss due to physical damage or cyberattacks. When a disaster occurs, organizations should activate their DR plans, which include restoring data from backup copies, rebuilding affected systems, and ensuring business continuity.

To facilitate effective recovery, organizations should implement controls such as automated backup systems, encryption of backup data, and redundant storage solutions. Additionally, establishing clear recovery point objectives (RPO) and recovery time objectives (RTO) helps prioritize critical systems and data. Incident response plans and regular testing of recovery procedures are essential to identify weaknesses and ensure a swift response. Moreover, maintaining secure access controls, network segmentation, and intrusion detection systems can mitigate the impact of a disaster and enable rapid containment and recovery. Ultimately, a well-developed disaster recovery plan backed by strong controls and regular audits ensures that organizations can minimize downtime, recover quickly, and protect vital information assets from ongoing threats.

References

• Abouelmehoud, D., Mhernadi, N., & Bouhajja, N. (2020). Cybersecurity threats and attacks in digital age. Journal of Cybersecurity, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/cybsec/tyz013
• Hutchins, S., Cloppert, M., & Amin, R. (2011). Intelligence-driven computer network defense informed by analysis of adversary campaigns and intrusion kill chains. Leading to cybersecurity frameworks. IEEE Security & Privacy, 28-35.
• Johnson, B. (2019). Data breach response planning: Essential steps for organizations. Cybersecurity Journal, 12(4), 45-52.
• Rana, M., & Oluwafemi, O. (2022). Incident response and disaster recovery strategies. International Journal of Information Management, 62, 102428.
• Saravanan, R., & Kumar, V. (2021). Cloud backup and recovery strategies for enterprise data. Cloud Computing, 9(2), 89–102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00500-020-05129-4
• Smith, J. (2018). Lessons learned from Target’s 2013 data breach. Cybersecurity Review. https://www.cybersecurityreview.com/target-data-breach
• Stallings, W. (2017). Foundations of cybersecurity. Pearson.
• U.S. Department of Justice. (2014). Target data breach investigation. https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/488711/download
• Williams, P., & Carter, S. (2019). Implementing effective disaster recovery in enterprise IT. International Journal of Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity, 15(03), 203-213.
• Zhou, Y., & Leung, J. (2020). Cyber incident response planning and disaster recovery for businesses. Journal of Information Security, 11(3), 221-232.