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In cybersecurity, the term "Trojan" or "Trojan Horse" refers to a type of malware that tricks users by disguising itself as legitimate software. This digital threat is named after the ancient Greek legend of the Trojan Horse, where Greek soldiers hid inside a wooden horse to infiltrate and capture the city of Troy. Similarly, a Trojan in cybersecurity hides its malicious intent under the guise of a harmless application, tricking users into executing harmful code on their devices. Trojans have evolved into one of the most common and versatile forms of malware, posing major risks to both people and organizations. Unlike viruses or worms, Trojans cannot replicate themselves or self-execute and instead rely on social engineering techniques to be installed.
For a Trojan to work it requires a user to download and execute the malware. Trojans are commonly shared via the following methods:
If a Trojan is successfully installed on a user’s device, it can perform several malicious actions depending on their type and purpose. Such as providing a back door entry for hackers, accessing data, passwords and other sensitive information.
Trojans come in various forms, each designed to perform specific malicious activities. Here are some of the most common types:
Keylogger Trojans are designed to run silently in the background, capturing everything you type - including login credentials, personal messages, and financial information. This data is then sent to attackers, enabling identity theft, account takeovers, and unauthorized transactions.
Banking Trojans are designed to steal financial information, such as banking credentials and credit card numbers. They often target online banking sessions, intercepting login details and other sensitive information.
Ransomware Trojans encrypt your files or lock your system entirely, then demand a ransom payment to restore access. Often spread through malicious links or attachments, they pose a serious threat to both individuals and organizations, causing operational downtime and financial loss.
Infostealer Trojans are designed to gather sensitive information from the infected device, such as login credentials, personal data, and system information. This data is then sent back to the attacker for exploitation.
Backdoor Trojans create hidden entry points in your system, allowing hackers to bypass security measures and gain remote access to your device. Once inside, they can steal data, install additional malware, or even take full control without your knowledge.
Rootkit Trojans hide their presence and other malicious activities from the user and security software. They provide attackers with deep-level access to the system, allowing them to manipulate files, processes, and system settings.
Emotet which was originally a banking Trojan, evolved into a highly versatile threat used to distribute other malware. It spread through phishing emails and exploited vulnerabilities to infiltrate systems. Emotet caused significant damage worldwide, including financial losses and data breaches.
Zeus is a notorious banking Trojan that has infected millions of computers globally. It used keylogging to obtain banking credentials and other sensitive information. The stolen data was then used for fraudulent transactions which resulted in substantial financial losses.
This downloader Trojan is known for installing other malicious software on infected systems. It typically arrives via email attachments or malicious websites and is often used to deliver ransomware or spyware.
Recognizing a Trojan infection can be challenging but here are some key indicators to look for:
Here are some tips to help prevent Trojan infections:
Detecting and removing Trojan malware involves several steps:
Trojans have a significant impact on cybersecurity and can cause widespread damage:
As cybersecurity measures evolve, so do the tactics used by attackers to develop and distribute Trojans, such as:
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