Viruses that affect the keyboard

[dzona]

I have already repeatedly browsed and asked at other sites about an ongoing seemingly "virus" issue with my keyboard and pc. Yes, I am aware that a keyboard cannot get a virus. However, it seems something has attacked the functionality of my keyboard. Let me explain. About 5 days ago, I started up my pc, went to do some typing and could not. When I typed t I would get t7, b I would get b5. Strange but then the cursor decided to go off down the page without stopping, as if the space bar was stuck. This was a microsoft wireless so I changed the batteries, no help. Uninstalled and reinstalled drivers, no help. Finally bought a wired keyboard and got the same issue. Became suspicious and decided to do a random scan. Up to this point, I believed my virus scan was working as it should but found it had been disabled. Close of scan found 2 java trojans, 3 generic trojans. Decided to do a search on viruses that affect the keyboard function but unfortunately I haven't gotten any responses to my calls for help yet. The new keyboard now will not use the space bar typeswordstogether just like that. I got frustrated when I tried a suggestion of combo fix and just shut the whole thing down. Upon start up, I saw a black screen and was told that the pc cound not find system config choose one: only one available was Profile 1, I chose that and once up and running found that the keyboard was still not working. One other thing, after scanning my system (with AVG) I found a program in my add removes called ContextualPlatformAdWorldMarketplace or something like that. I just deleted upon finding info on it, it vanished without a hitch which worried me even more. Btw, I checked the region language too, says English so that can't be it. Also, back in October, I had another nasty round of viruses which prompted me to switch to AVG in the first place. I am not certain but suspect that there is a possibility that it never cleaned up the mess back then. I've tried paid and free, tons of different ones and none seem fool proof. Then again, if a virus can disable your virus protection I guess it really doesn't matter. I primarily cruise cooking sites and the last download I did was 3 days before the problem started for an mmorpg called Perfect World. I need help with this badly. I'm a writer that needs my keyboard and pc back if possible, anything you could do would be greatly appreciated.

 

[davcon]

Well,whatever you write hopefully it isn't structured like this post lol!
I would download and update Malwarebytes.
Run a full scan in safemode.
I also recommended MSE antivirus.
If that doesn't resolve your issues i suggest you save important files and re-install your O/S.
Whatever it is.

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

Yeppers. Format the drive and install from scratch. It's the only way once you've been infected that badly.

 

[jimmysmitty]

MSE
Malwarebytes
SuperAnti-Spyware.

Install and run em. In safe mode.

 

[dzona]

Just so you know, malwarebytes already had a go at this during the round of viruses in October. In fact, it would not run in safe mode, showed some type of error but would not uninstall so that I could re-download it to correct the error nor would it update. Once I have the hard drive wiped, I will run all of the ones recommended. Hopefully that does it, thanks for all the input and even a critique I was least expecting. Didn't have the time nor the energy to bother with structure, glad you got the problem just the same! Thanks again.

 

[gamerk316]

Keyboards can NOT get viruses.

Now, its possible the interface they work with can be virused; IE: I can write a virus that will randomize the output of every key you type, but you can't virus the keyboard itself.

Anyway, MSE + MalwareBytes is really all you need. You won't ever stop 100% of infections, but you can easily stop 99%+ of them.

 

[optrimx]

Just want to share what just happend to me today. Early morning, my computer keyboard was ok.... then all of a sudden, the keyboard went crazy... when I type an "s" it would be sdf... when i typed an "a" it would type a euro character with some other letters in combination for all other keys. One disturbing this, since I'm on Windows 8, that some key when pressed calls the sleep function and turns my computer off so I could not even login to my computer and work. I tried booting from the CDROM on linux and the keyboard behaves the same.

I connected the keyboard on my laptop... and immediately, some of my laptop keys aren't responding. so I immediately powered down the laptop pressing the power button for about 5 seconds to force it to shutdown and unplugged the problem keyboard and my laptop keys are back to normal.

Any other experiencing the same? As it looks to be that there seems is a new virus attacking the keyboard... mine's an A4tech smartkeyboard that all of a sudden became idiotic.

Hope to hear people figuring this problem out.

 

[finale]

Yesterday and today I have been encountering the same issue regarding the keyboard.

Firstly, a user reported that they had two entries in their Outlook To-Do list. The task found within each entry were randomly generated names and phrases. Most not making any sense.
I removed the entries and proceeded with a scan using the AV as well as Anti-Malwarebytes. Both scans found viruses and infections which were quarantined and removed.

Near the end of the day the user complained about his keyboard being faulty as some keys were not working. I replaced the USB keyboard with a PS/2 keyboard. Which seemed to solve the problem.
This morning I received an email from the same user saying that the PS/2 keyboard was doing the same thing.
The issue would be intermittent and it was not always the same keys that failed to transmit the input.

This morning I booted into safe mode and did a scan with Malwarebytes again which found no infections. Malwarebytes was uninstalled. I then used Adware Removal Tool which found a few things which were removed.(The normal Babyalon toolbar and such. Nothing that i hadnt seen before but didnt cause any real issues).
I then installed Spybot Search and Destroy and did a system scan which found a bunch of suspicious registry entries, tracking cookies and temporary files. Again, not anything that i hadnt seen before which caused any real problems.
I am not running a RootKit scan using Spybot. There after I am going to run a registry clean using CCleaner, just to be sure that there isnt something in the reg that is cause the PC to hang intermittently.

Will post the results when done.

 

[finale]

So none of the above seemed to have any affect on the keyboard issue.

Interesting to note that when I am on the user's computer I am unable to replicate the issue. This leads me to believe that this might be an issue with the user hitting certain keys too lightly. There might also be a program in the background that is trying to prompt for something which deselects the screen in which the user is typing which prevents the input from being displayed.

If i end up formatting the PC i will let you know if this resolved the issue.

 

[diananelson0920]

I have been having the same issues with my keyboard on my laptop. My computer won't go through a full virus scan. I tried Avast, AVG, and Panda. My computer freezes up in the middle of the scan, and I end up having to turn my computer off to get it to do anything. It does show that there are some infections, but because I can't get through the scan, I am unable to fix them. I got the virus while Norton was running, so that won't help. As I am typing this, I have windows popping up all over the place. It is as if something has changed my keyboard functions. HELP!!!! When I hit "b" or "n", windows pop up. I was having an issue that made it seem as if the windows key is locked. I found a program through Microsoft that disabled it.

 

[Montblanchill]

I have seen quite a few of these issues in my time, and often the solutions are menial.

Office workers often do not have their touchpad disabled and ask why their cursor flies about all over the place and they start typing in random places.

Also, the 'function' button on some keyboards can get stuck or damaged, which can cause most attempts at typing to make the computer attempt other functions. Depending on the quality of the keys, or potential spillages that happen, they can end up pressing alongside each other (I realise B and N are not close to the windows key).

Also, try using an old PS2 connector keyboard if the current one is USB and your PC allows PS2 usage. This may help solve the issue.

If not then I would say try the scans then wipe if they do not work. Should the problem continue after a wipe, it will be hardware related (assuming the potential virus was not installed alongside some software you then install after the wipe).

 

[linza]

This is very strange. This just happened to my laptop. if i pressed F, I got j, strange things like that. I ran the virus check and found nothing. awfully strange, isn't it? and no, it's not operator error. I turned laptop off and then on again. Now I fear I have some strange spyware on my laptop. Very nervous.

 

[Kunal Panchal]

Well from past one month, its happening to me also. Am using Dell XPS 16, Windows 7, and the keyboard suddenly goes crazy and types anything. Tried to replicate it in safe mode, safe mode with CMD. Its happening at all places.

But now as i rebooted it 10 mins back. Now its working perfectly normal. & also been able to type it properly.

Dunno why & how its happening, and its strange that its happening recently to many other in past couple of months.

And one user mentioned, its laptop goes to sleep mode suddenly. That happens with me too.

And also at some point, the laptop's mouse stop responding. & then I press the power button it goes to sleep. And then turn it on back, mouse gets restored back.

 

[pranavmishra]

well.. strange.. something similar happened to my laptop too just now.. it wont type "e" or "m" or number "3" .. When you press shift (l) nothing comes up. when i press the right shift, "u" comes up.. all the F1 F2 F3 not working.. hmmm.. strange..

I am typing all of this through my USB keyboard ( bluetooth) one.. the built in one seems to be behaving weirdly.. i am currently running Norton in the background.. no threats up as yet.

Funny thing is , this problem is reported more over the last few days..

Let me know if any of you find a solution to this..

 

[coolboyasians]

well.. strange.. something similar happened to my laptop too just now.. it wont type "e" or "m" or number "3" .. When you press shift (l) nothing comes up. when i press the right shift, "u" comes up.. all the F1 F2 F3 not working.. hmmm.. strange..

I am typing all of this through my USB keyboard ( bluetooth) one.. the built in one seems to be behaving weirdly.. i am currently running Norton in the background.. no threats up as yet.

Funny thing is , this problem is reported more over the last few days..

Let me know if any of you find a solution to this..

i cant type letter r and many more, f1,f2,f3,f4,f5 are disabled, so is enter key and spacebar. running a scan, pup popped up. i quarantined it, still i cant type with my keyboard. enter key and spacebar not working pisses me off the most. no threats besides PUP. this is very annoying

 

[ovidiu13]

well i have the same problem, on my usb keyboard
some keys have been disabled, not working....
i switched on a PS2 keyboard, but the same thing happend, but with other keys...
i borrowed another PS2 keybord, and my numbers does'nt show up....
i scaned with malwarebytes....it found some PUP "type assistand"...quarantined....didnt help....
i uses adwcleaner...it found some leftovers, cleaned , still not working....
i formated my HDD, i did a clean install of windows, the same problem, and the same keys affected on every keyboard, like before ... it's like it had been memorised by the keyboards, or the keys had been fried

 

[ovidiu13]

well i have the same problem, on my usb keyboard
some keys have been disabled, not working....
i switched on a PS2 keyboard, but the same thing happend, but with other keys...
i barrowed another PS2 keybord, and my numbers does'nt show up....
i scaned with malwarebytes....it found some PUP "type assistand"...quarantined....didnt help....
i uses adwcleaner...it found some leftovers, cleaned , still not working....
i formated my HDD, i made a clean install of windows, the same problem, and the same keys affected on every keyboard, like before ... it's like they were memorised by the keyboards, or the keys had been fried

 

[DubbleClick]

Keyboards can of course get infected by a virus, just as a washing machine or toaster can. But chances of that happening are extremely tiny, it's probably just a virus that converts the bytecode a keypress results in to some sign that it would usually not result in. You can also do this on purpose, by the way.

To get rif of it, try above suggestions on virus scans or just do a clean HDD install. Make sure to gormat the whole drive, though.

 

[theBastardGamer]

Man, I'm worried it's a polymorphic virus, which uses polymorphic encryption, which is awesome encryption because the virus itself with polymorphic encryption will, and can protect itself from nasty anti virus detection. What is fascinating about this is this "virus " is created for malfunctioning any system files specially what you've mentioned the keyboard functionality is associated with this kind of virus, like for example, when you click/ type "t" the output would be "5" or random keys aside from the input key you've typed. All i can tell you is reinstall a new OS and " BE AWARE OF THE FILES YOU WERE PUTTING INTO YOUR SYSTEM" try to search about the site you just found then if it's safe or what. If someone says it's safe and you got virus, maybe it's been attack by a hacker and infect everything up after the commentary of others.... ! GOOD LUCK MAN.

 

[turtlesoup365]

hi i am having the same issue my key board works fine to log in and the you cant type anything after that i have tried system restore spybot and malware bytes i have had luck in the past by logging to to the administrator account and starting a new account land deleting the old account but you have to select to delete files from the old account in windows this used to work great in winxp and i use external drive for my files so it didn't bother me to delete the old files i have not tried this yet for this problem i notice and extra driver in the keyboard driver details in manage hard ware i am typing of my home pc the problems on my laptop

 

[rreassa]

Ok so i have no solution but something else when i started my xp laptop up and logged in fine no problem started up normal same speed. Later on when i was typing something this happened z was q, x was w, a was s and so on and so on. any recomendations on what i do i dont know how to fix it and i cant find anything anywhere until i saw this so i read it and the answers and still don't know.

 

[Helen Harpum]

I need help, similar issue maybe? logged into my windows 8.1 desktop. let me use my keyboard to sign in to Ms account then few seconds later keyboard just clicking but not working. can use on screen keyboard as usual but not ps2. tried a tablet with usb keyboard and same happened. tried a friends laptop and again same problem. they logged in under their own ms account and was fine. now worried something virus wise is linked to my ms account as only lets me use any device with on screen keyboard, help I am not a computer specialist ! ps no issues with windows phone but then guess that completely different set up as no keyboard anyway !

 

[tancat]

I was having a similar issue, to some of these posts after requiring my password to be reset. Then I had problems with Outlook. Super Antispyware/Malwarebytes/Nortons found around 600 threats - the most I've ever had, but nothing was highly suspicious. When I tried to type emails, all kinds of extra letters/European letters/hyphens/spaces were being generated. My son couldn't enter his Skype password. I was getting extremely suspicious I had some really nasty virus. I found a similar thread to this thread problem, that had 230+ positive responses to the following simple solution...."Had the same problem. Solved it by hitting the NUM LK/SCRN LK key." YAY, I am really please it worked for me...

 

[Kristin_4]

I have the same issue, it all started with a jealous girl who wanted to stop me and a certain guy from getting a hold of each other. So when I would write the guys name Jason it would turn in something else. Then it got worse with the i in Kristin changing to Kristen with a e, or my birthdate 1980 changing to 1988, or Jas changing to Dan or JasE then to Matt, or a change up or down in my phone number becomes something else. Kristin became Catalina, or Amanda and since they wanted my guys ... Catalina b/c she's a crazy version of me so of course she would become obsessed with my soulmate, and Amanda b/c Dan and I were best friends who enjoyed traveling, dinners, going out she wanted that too (even with a boyfriend at the time).
But it also caused a bigger time rift than ever because these newer people all versions of me were not running on the same time frame as say i was, their worlds moving faster than mine.
So when our names were swapped it put them in my time and me in theirs and the world is trying to balance all of it but it cant.

Look at it like this my first real boyfriend Jeremy was a creepy version of my soulmate Jason (both having parents that committed suicide when they were kids), then my next boyfriend Andrei being Jason's bestfriend who I lost contact with when we broke up and I was with my last boyfriend Dan (both Andrei and Dan cheated on me at least twice and we both broke up twice but I lived with Dan for 2 years + after and shared a life but not a bed) but Dan was also sure to make sure I knew we were not together after our last breakup, all leading up to Julie (who happened to share the same name as a Dans new now ex girlfriend and Jasons ex fiance.... All so when Jason and I were finally able to be together their wouldnt be anyone who could say I cheated on him and vice versa.