We have all heard about the Trojan Horse and its negative impact on computer systems but most of us are still unsure as to whether it is a virus or a spyware? Today’s post will dig deeper into this subject and give you an insight into what the Trojan Horse is and how you should stay protected from it.
Trojan Horse and Its Game of Deception
A Trojan Horse is a malware code that disguises itself as a legitimate software application to mislead online users. Cyber-criminals insert this malicious software into the computer systems of individuals and companies without their knowledge. The objective of these nefarious hackers is to secure backdoor access to their victims’ IT infrastructure. When their victims unknowingly upload the virus into their computers, it steals their sensitive data.
Many online users consider a Trojan Horse to be a computer virus. This malicious software is actually destructive program which functions as a spyware but appears like a genuine application. However, unlike a computer virus, a Trojan Horse cannot replicate itself. It allows cyber-criminals to gain backdoor access to the victims’ computer systems and their confidential online data. This makes it even more dangerous than a computer virus.
How does a Trojan Horse malware work?
Companies and ordinary individuals receive a huge volume of emails in their computer mail inbox every day. Most of these online messages contain attachments which they have to click on to access the content. Some of these emails relate to their business activities while vast majority are unwanted online advertisements. Cyber-criminals exploit this trend by sending their victims Trojan Horse malware which appears as harmless email attachments. However, when they execute the malicious software by clicking on their emails, the malware:
- Launches a phishing or some other kind of social engineering cyberattack,
- Exploits the computer systems’ vulnerabilities to allow the criminals to gain unauthorized access,
- Creates a false Wi-fi network that resembles the one their victims are trying to connect with
- Displays pop-ups of an unwanted anti-virus software programs inviting the victims to run them,
- Damages the existing files and software applications on the victims’ computer systems,
- Activates the computers’ camera and other recording devices without their users’ knowledge, and
- Records the victims’ sensitive data which criminals can then use for their nefarious activities.
Examples Of Trojan Horse Malware Attacks
Cyber-criminals can inflict immense damage to their victims’ IT infrastructure by launching Trojan Horse attacks on their computers. Moreover, the nefarious hackers constantly upgrade these malicious software applications to make them harder to detect and destroy. The recent examples of Trojan Horse malware cyberattacks are:
- Rakhni Trojan which has been known to cyber-security experts since 2013. The malware functions both as a ransomware and cryptojacker. This allows cyber-criminals to use this software to extort money from their victims or use their computers to mine cryptocurrencies,
- Zeus/Zbot is a common Trojan Horse malware that cyber-criminals use to attack companies in the banking sector. This malicious software virus has been in existence since 2011. It uses a sophisticated code to replicate the keystrokes of online users to access legitimate software applications. This enables cyber-criminals to steal sensitive data of customers and use it for their nefarious activities, and
- Wirenet is a popular password-stealing Trojan Horse malware which targets online users working on Linux operating systems. Many of them began to notice certain peculiar security flaws in their computers when migrating from Windows operating systems.
How Can Online Users Identify Trojan Horse Malware?
As most Trojan Horses resemble legitimate software applications, the malware are difficult for online users to initially detect. This makes them harder for conventional anti-malware scanners to find and destroy. However, they can suspect the presence of Trojan Horses in computers over time by noticing the following abnormalities:
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- Unusual changes in the screen color and resolution whenever they turn on their computers
- The appearance of numerous pop-up advertisements offering solutions to resolve various errors
- The disappearance or unexplained changes in their computers’ taskbar
- Unknown applications appearing on their computers’ task manager which they did not install
- Alterations in their computer systems’ desktop wallpaper and format of application icons
- Frequent hardware device or software application crashes
- The slow performance of their computers as evident from its appearance like the infamous blue screen
- A sudden increase in spam mails
- The appearance of abnormal graphics and messages whenever they start their computers, and
- Changes in the Internet browser which directs them to unfamiliar websites when browsing online
Tips On Preventing Trojan Horses Affecting Computers?
Online users can safeguard their computers and other vital devices within their IT infrastructure from Trojan Horse malwares. To do so, they just need to keep in mind and implement the following prevention tips:
- Install and run the latest anti-malware diagnostic scans on a regular basis,
- Frequently update software of the operating systems they use on their computers,
- Scan all unknown email attachments before opening them,
- Backup vital files on their computer systems regularly, and
- Protect sensitive online credential and banking data with complex alphanumeric passwords.
In addition to taking the above prevention tips, online users should avoid browsing unfamiliar and unsafe websites. The cyber-security feature on their Internet browser will alert them if particular site seems to be suspicious. All of them should even avoid downloading a software program unless it is from a legitimate publisher. When coming across new email, they should know what it is about actually before opening it. Above all, they should never click on pop-up advertisement offering cost-free anti-virus solutions. These simple steps will ensure they stay protected from Trojan Horse attacks.
