Types of Trojan Horse Malware: A breakdown of the different types of Trojan Horse malware

With the constant evolution of technology, the risk of cyber attacks and malware has become more prevalent than ever. One of the most dangerous and deceptive types of malware is the Trojan horse. Just like the legendary Trojan horse that was used to deceive and breach the city of Troy, Trojan horse malware tricks its victims into allowing it access to their devices. In this article, we will breakdown the different types of Trojan horse malware and how they can cause harm to individuals and organizations.

1. Backdoors:
Backdoors are a type of Trojan horse that creates a secret pathway for hackers to gain access to a device or a network. Once the backdoor is installed, the attacker can gain control of the device and its resources, without the user’s knowledge. This type of Trojan horse can be used for espionage, data theft, or to launch other forms of cyber attacks such as DDoS attacks.

A practical example of this type of Trojan horse is the “Netbus” backdoor that was first discovered in 1998. This backdoor allowed attackers to access a victim’s computer remotely and perform various malicious activities, including stealing sensitive information or monitoring their activities.

2. Droppers:
As the name suggests, droppers are Trojan horses that are designed to drop and install other malicious software onto a victim’s device. This type of malware is usually hidden within legitimate-looking programs or files and can be activated when the user opens the infected file. Once activated, the dropper will download and install malware such as ransomware, spyware, or keyloggers onto the victim’s device.

A well-known example of a dropper Trojan is the “Fakeinst” dropper, which was used to spread the notorious WannaCry ransomware in 2017. This dropper was disguised as a legitimate update for Windows, tricking users into downloading and installing the ransomware onto their devices.

3. Downloaders:
Downloaders are another type of Trojan horse that is used to download and install malware onto a victim’s device. However, unlike droppers, downloaders do not drop the malware onto the device but directly download it from a remote server controlled by the attacker. They can also be used to update or modify existing malware on a victim’s device.

One example of a downloader Trojan is “Qbot,” which was first discovered in 2009. This downloader is known for downloading other banking malware onto infected devices, allowing attackers to steal sensitive financial information.

In conclusion, knowing the different types of Trojan horse malware is crucial in understanding the different ways in which attackers can target and exploit their victims. It is also important to note that Trojan horses are constantly evolving, and new variants are discovered every day. Therefore, individuals and organizations must stay vigilant and keep their devices protected with up-to-date security software. Moreover, avoiding suspicious websites, emails, and downloads can also help prevent falling victim to Trojan horse malware. Remember, prevention is always better than cure when it comes to cybersecurity.