Katana VentraIP

Virtual keyboard

A virtual keyboard is a software component that allows the input of characters without the need for physical keys.[1] Interaction with a virtual keyboard happens mostly via a touchscreen interface, but can also take place in a different form when in virtual or augmented reality.

Virtual keyboards with touchscreen layouts or sensors

[2]

Character variants, punctuation, and other special characters accessible through a menu, key/mouse combinations, or double/triple/long presses on sensors

Number pad feature to facilitate typing numbers.

[3]

layouts or similar arrangements of "keys" or sensing areas[4][5]

Optically projected keyboard

Optically detected human hand and finger motions

[6]

Multiple language sets that don't require a settings change

On a desktop computer, a virtual keyboard might provide an alternative input mechanism for users with disabilities who cannot use a conventional keyboard, for multi-lingual users who switch frequently between different character sets or alphabets, which may be confusing over time, or for users who are lacking a traditional keyboard.


Virtual keyboards may utilize the following:


Various JavaScript virtual keyboards have been created on web browsers, allowing users to type their own languages on foreign keyboards. Multitouch screens allow the creation of virtual chorded keyboards for tablet computers,[7] touchscreens, touchpads, and wired gloves.[8][9]

An observer can typically watch the screen more easily (and less suspiciously) than the keyboard, and see which characters the mouse moves to.

Some implementations of the on-screen keyboard may give visual feedback of the "key" clicked, e.g. by changing its color briefly. This makes it much easier for an observer to read the data from the screen. In the worst case, the implementation may leave the on the most recently clicked "key" until the next virtual key is clicked, thus allowing the observer time to read each character even after the mouse starts moving to the next character.

focus

A user may not be able to "point and click" as fast as they could type on a keyboard, thus making it easier for the observer.

Virtual keyboards may be used in some cases to reduce the risk of keystroke logging.[39] For example, Westpac's online banking service uses a virtual keyboard for password entry, as does TreasuryDirect (see picture). It is more difficult for malware to monitor the display and mouse to obtain the data entered via the virtual keyboard than it is to monitor real keystrokes. However, it is possible, for example by recording screenshots at regular intervals or upon each mouse click.[40][41]


The use of an on-screen keyboard on which the user "types" with mouse clicks can increase the risk of password disclosure by shoulder surfing, because:

(1997)

Caldera SoftKeyboards

Ease of Access

Finger Touching Cell Phone

Input method

Mouse keys

Multi-touch