Trojan Horse
Table of Contents:
What is a Trojan Horse ?
A Trojan horse, or simply a Trojan, is a type of malware that appears to be a legitimate software program but actually contains malicious code that is intended to harm, steal, or damage the target system or network.
How Trojan Works ?
A Trojan works by tricking a user into downloading and running it on their system. Typically, the Trojan is disguised as a legitimate program or file, such as a game or utility, or it may be bundled with legitimate software.
Once the user runs the Trojan, the malicious code is activated, and it can carry out a variety of harmful activities, such as:
- Stealing sensitive information: A Trojan can be programmed to steal sensitive information, such as login credentials, credit card details, or personal data.
- Modifying or deleting files: A Trojan can modify or delete files on the infected system, causing data loss or corruption.
- Creating a backdoor: A Trojan can create a "backdoor" on the infected system, allowing a remote attacker to gain unauthorized access and control the system.
- Launching denial-of-service attacks: A Trojan can be used to launch a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on a website or network, flooding it with traffic and causing it to crash or become unavailable.
- Installing additional malware: A Trojan can install additional malware on the infected system, such as spyware, adware, or ransomware.
Types of Trojans:
There are several types of Trojan horses, each with its own specific purpose and method of attack. Here are some common types of Trojans:
1. Backdoor Trojans
These Trojans create a "backdoor" into the infected system, allowing hackers to access the system and carry out malicious activities.
2. Banking Trojans
These Trojans are designed to steal sensitive financial information, such as bank account numbers, passwords, and credit card details.
3. DDoS Trojans
These trojans are designed to launch denial of service attack that overload a network with traffic. It will send multiple requests from an infected computer or group of computers to a target web address to overwhelm it and cause a denial of service.
4. Remote Access Trojans (RATs)
RATs are Trojans that give an attacker remote access to a victim's computer, allowing the attacker to control the computer and steal information.
Protection:
Trojans are one of the most common types of malware, and they continue to evolve and adapt to new security measures. To protect against Trojans, it is important to use up-to-date antivirus software, keep operating systems and software patched and up-to-date, and avoid opening email attachments or clicking on links from unknown sources.