bar coding and key grabbing

[fawkes]

Something that's always interested me, can key-grabbers capture bar code scans?

 

[sleipnir214]

It probably depends on how the scanner enters the data into the system. A lot scanners plug into the keyboard port and act as special-purpose keyboards. It seems reasonable to me that if software can capture data coming from a regular keyboard, the software can capture strokes coming from a special-purpose keyboard.

Some scanners, however, connect to USB. With those, it might be a matter of how the scanner is represented to the system.

And certainly the capabilities of the recording software would have to be examined, too. Some are more capable than others.


Want the best answers? Ask the best questions! TANSTAAFL!

 

[dennislv]

There is a 99% chance that it will work. Whether it be a PS2, USB and *SOMETIMES* serial.

The problem is the way the driver software presents the scanned barcode to the system. Most (99%) just dump it into the keyboard buffer; this is done for maximum compatibility. Others (1%), send messages to the destination program with the scanned data.

So, yes, a keylogger will pick up a barcode, just like it will pick up a credit card track swipe.