As laptops go, Chromebooks are very secure devices that store and run the majority of the software they use in the cloud.
Chromebook users are much less likely to be affected by malware, but does this also mean that you can’t get a keylogger on a Chromebook?
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Can Chromebooks Get Keyloggers?
Yes, Chromebooks can get keyloggers. Though not as common as with operating systems like Windows and Mac OS, a limited number of keylogger applications for Chromebooks can be accessed from websites like interguardsoftware.com and webwatcher.com.
You can also download the Chrome Logger application from the Chrome Web Store.
How To Install A Keylogger On Your Chromebook
Once purchased, you should be able to install WebWatcher for Chromebook in about 5 minutes.
On your Chromebook, open the Chrome browser and in the address bar type, https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions/ and press enter.
Once the web store loads, search for “WebSecurity for Chromebook“.
Click “Add to Chrome” and then “Add Extension” to install the WebSecurity extension on your Chromebook.
Fill out the dialogue box that pops up with your email and password to register your device:
You’ll have to log in to webwatcher.com to see the data that has been recorded, which can take up to 15 minutes to appear following installation.
WebWatcher for Chromebook works on all Chromebook devices, including ones made by HP, Lenovo, Asus, Dell, Samsung, and all other manufacturers.
Once WebWatcher is up and running for your Chromebook, it will record user activity in almost real-time and upload the data to your secure account online.
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How Can I Tell If There’s a keylogger On My Chromebook?
A keylogger on your Chromebook would most likely take the form of a browser extension or Android app (.apk).
This software will have to be downloaded onto the device by a user who is signed in to Google.
If you share your Chromebook with others, be on the lookout for any apps or browser extensions that you didn’t install, inspect them further and disable any that you don’t recognize.
They will probably have security-sounding names similar to the ones we’ve discussed earlier, like WebWatcher, InterGard, etc.
If you didn’t install any apps or borrow your Chromebook to anyone else then it’s highly unlikely that there’s a keylogger on it.
Chrome OS is very secure and executable files cannot usually be installed on a Chromebook.
Your Chromebook only uses apps and extensions from Google Play or the Google Web Store and if you’re unlucky enough to download a bad app or extension – because of how Chrome OS utilizes sandboxing – all you need to do is uninstall that extension or app and the problem will be solved.
There’s no need for antivirus or malware scanners on your Chromebook.
Why Is It So Difficult To Hide A Keylogger On A Chromebook?
You can’t hide executable files on a Chromebook.
When you boot up your Chromebook, it checks that its firmware and operating system have not been altered by using a process called Verified Boot.
As your Chromebook loads up, it checks all components of Chrome OS and checks that its Linux kernel has been signed correctly.
This amounts to your system being signed as legitimate by Google themselves every time you power it up.
This offers much more security than what you can get with a Mac or Windows laptop.
When you log into your Chromebook, you can be fairly certain that you’re logging in securely and that no key loggers are running in the background and capturing your data.
How Does A Keylogger Work On A Chromebook?
Keyloggers are a type of surveillance software that has the capacity to record all keystrokes made to a log file, usually encrypted with a master key.
Once a keylogger has been installed on a Chromebook it can record everything from typed emails to web searches, and any information typed using the keyboard of that device’s keyboard.
The log file that the keylogger creates can then be sent to a specific website for later analysis.
