What is a Trojan Horse?

A Trojan Horse virus is malware that infiltrates a computer by disguising itself as a legitimate program. Attackers use social engineering techniques to embed malicious code within seemingly legitimate software to gain unauthorized access to users’ systems.

But what is a Trojan Horse, and how does it impact our digital lives? In this glossary blog, we’ll break down the key concepts and terminology related to Trojan Horses to help you understand this critical aspect of online security.

Key Terms and Definitions for Trojan Horse

Understanding the various terms associated with Trojan Horses is crucial for anyone looking to protect their systems from this type of malware. Below is a comprehensive glossary of essential terms related to Trojan Horses.

Adware

Adware is a type of software that displays unwanted advertisements on your device. While not always malicious, adware can be used with Trojan Horses to generate revenue for attackers or track user behavior.

Backdoor

A backdoor is a method by which an attacker can bypass normal authentication procedures to gain unauthorized access to a system. Trojan Horses often install backdoors to allow attackers to gain persistent access.

Botnet

A botnet is a network of infected computers controlled by an attacker. Trojan Horses can be used to create botnets, which can then be used for various malicious activities such as DDoS attacks.

Command and Control (C&C) Server

A Command and Control (C&C) server is used by attackers to send instructions to compromised systems. Trojan Horses communicate with C&C servers to receive commands and report back to the attacker.

Cryptor

A cryptor is a tool used to encrypt a Trojan Horse to evade detection by antivirus software. It makes the malware more challenging to detect and analyze.

Downloader

A downloader is a Trojan Horse designed to download and install other malicious software onto a victim’s system. It usually operates silently in the background.

Exploit

An exploit is a code that takes advantage of a software vulnerability. Trojan Horses often use exploits to gain initial system access or escalate privileges.

Keylogger

A keylogger is malicious software that records keystrokes on a victim’s device. Trojan Horses may include keyloggers to capture sensitive information such as passwords and credit card numbers.

Malware

Malware is any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, or computer network. Trojan Horses fall under the category of malware due to their deceptive and harmful nature.

Payload

A payload refers to the part of the Trojan Horse that performs malicious action, such as stealing data, destroying files, or installing additional malware.

Phishing

Phishing is a social engineering attack in which an attacker deceives individuals into providing sensitive information. Trojan Horses can be distributed through phishing emails or fake websites.

Ransomware

Ransomware is malware that encrypts the victim’s files and demands a ransom for the decryption key. Some Trojan Horses are used to deliver ransomware payloads.

Rootkit

A rootkit is a type of software designed to hide the presence of malware on a system. Trojan Horses may install rootkits to maintain stealth and avoid detection.

Spyware

Spyware is software that gathers information about a person or organization without their knowledge. Trojan Horses can function as spyware by collecting data such as browsing habits and login credentials.

Trojan-Banker

Trojan-Banker is a type of Trojan Horse specifically designed to steal banking information such as account numbers and passwords. It targets online banking transactions.

Trojan-Dropper

A Trojan-Dropper is designed to install other malicious software on the infected system. It drops” additional malware components to perform further attacks.

Trojan-Downloader

A Trojan-Downloader is a type of Trojan Horse that downloads and installs other malware onto a victim’s system. It often operates without the user’s knowledge.

Trojan-GameThief

Trojan-GameThief is a type of Trojan Horse that targets online gamers. It steals login credentials and other sensitive information related to online gaming accounts.

Trojan-IM

Trojan-IM is designed to steal login credentials for instant messaging applications. It targets popular IM services to compromise user accounts.

Trojan-Ransom

Trojan-Ransom is a Trojan Horse that demands a ransom from the victim. It often encrypts files or locks the system until the ransom is paid.

Trojan-SMS

Trojan-SMS targets mobile devices and sends premium-rate SMS messages from the infected device. It results in financial charges to the victim.

Trojan-Spy

Trojan-Spy is a Trojan Horse that spies on the victim by capturing screenshots, logging keystrokes, or recording other activities. It sends the collected information to the attacker.

Trojan-Worm

Trojan-Worm is a hybrid malware that combines the characteristics of a Trojan Horse and a worm. It spreads to other systems while performing Trojan-like activities on the infected device.