# ReiKey

> anti-keylogger software for macOS

**Wikidata**: [Q125475100](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q125475100)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/reikey

## Summary
ReiKey is an anti-keylogger software designed for macOS, developed by Objective-See to detect and block keystroke logging malware. It is free and open-source software written in Objective-C, helping protect user privacy by monitoring for unauthorized keystroke capture attempts.

## Key Facts
- ReiKey is an anti-keylogger software specifically designed for macOS operating systems.
- The software was developed by Objective-See, a non-profit software organization founded in 2015 and headquartered in Kula, United States.
- ReiKey is written in Objective-C, a general-purpose, high-level, object-oriented programming language created in 1984.
- The software is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 3.0, making it free and open-source.
- ReiKey's source code is publicly available on GitHub at https://github.com/objective-see/ReiKey.
- The software's official website is https://objective-see.org/products/reikey.html, with content primarily in English.
- ReiKey is classified as both anti-keylogger software and free software on Wikidata.

## FAQs
### Q: What is ReiKey and what does it do?
A: ReiKey is an anti-keylogger software for macOS that detects and blocks keystroke logging malware. It monitors system activity to identify unauthorized attempts to capture keystrokes, helping protect user privacy and sensitive information.

### Q: Who developed ReiKey and is it free to use?
A: ReiKey was developed by Objective-See, a non-profit software organization based in the United States. The software is free and open-source, distributed under the GNU General Public License version 3.0.

### Q: What programming language is ReiKey written in?
A: ReiKey is written in Objective-C, a general-purpose, high-level, object-oriented programming language that was created in 1984.

## Why It Matters
ReiKey plays a crucial role in cybersecurity by addressing the growing threat of keyloggers, which are malicious programs designed to capture keystrokes and steal sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, and personal messages. As macOS has become increasingly popular, it has also become a target for malware developers, making security tools like ReiKey essential for protecting user privacy. The software's open-source nature allows security researchers and developers to examine its code, ensuring transparency and trust in its functionality. By providing a free, accessible solution to detect and block keyloggers, ReiKey democratizes cybersecurity protection, making it available to users regardless of their technical expertise or financial resources. This is particularly important in an era where digital privacy is constantly under threat from sophisticated cyber attacks.

## Notable For
- One of the few dedicated anti-keylogger solutions specifically designed for macOS
- Developed by Objective-See, a respected non-profit organization known for creating free macOS security tools
- Open-source nature allows for community scrutiny and improvement of the code
- Uses Objective-C, aligning with native macOS development practices
- Provides real-time monitoring and blocking of keystroke logging attempts

## Body
### Development and Background
ReiKey was created by Objective-See, a non-profit software organization founded in 2015 by security researcher Patrick Wardle. The organization specializes in developing free macOS security tools, with ReiKey being one of their flagship products focused on detecting and preventing keylogger malware.

### Technical Implementation
The software is written in Objective-C, which is the primary programming language used for macOS and iOS development. This choice ensures that ReiKey integrates well with the macOS ecosystem and can effectively monitor system-level events related to keystroke capture attempts.

### Licensing and Distribution
ReiKey is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 3.0, which is a widely-used free software license that guarantees end users the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software. The source code is publicly available on GitHub, allowing for community review and contribution.

### Functionality
As an anti-keylogger, ReiKey monitors the macOS system for various methods that malware might use to capture keystrokes. This includes watching for both user-mode and kernel-mode keyloggers, as well as other techniques that malicious software might employ to intercept user input.

### Integration with macOS
Being designed specifically for macOS, ReiKey takes advantage of the operating system's security features and APIs to perform its monitoring functions. The software is compatible with macOS versions dating back to 2001, ensuring broad compatibility across different Mac systems.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/objective-see/ReiKey/blob/master/LICENSE.md)