What is a Trojan horse in cybersecurity?

A Trojan horse in cybersecurity refers to a deceptive method that tricks users into downloading malware by masquerading as legitimate software or being embedded within a seemingly harmless application. The term originates from the ancient Greek story where Greek soldiers hid inside a large wooden horse to infiltrate the city of Troy. In the digital context, this malware often appears as software that users would find appealing or necessary, such as games, utilities, or updates, leading to its unintentional installation and execution on the user’s system.

Once activated, a Trojan can perform malicious actions, such as stealing sensitive information, creating backdoors for remote access, or even aiding in the further spread of malware. This highlights the importance of user awareness and caution when downloading software from untrustworthy sources. Understanding how Trojan horses operate critically emphasizes the need for robust cybersecurity practices, such as keeping software up to date and using reputable antivirus solutions to detect and prevent installations of such deceptive programs.