What is a Trojan Horse virus & how do you prevent it?

The digital landscape since its inception has become more and more dangerous. As businesses and professionals across the globe become increasingly reliant on technology, cybercriminals are finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities. Among various threats, Trojan Horse viruses stand out as particularly deceptive and damaging. Masquerading as legitimate software, these malicious programmes infiltrate systems under the radar, posing severe risks to personal data, business operations, and organisational security.

For tech-savvy individuals, business owners, and cybersecurity professionals, understanding this threat is key to maintaining a secure digital environment. In this blog, we will explore what Trojan Horse viruses are, the types you’re most likely to encounter, and how to prevent them from compromising your systems.

What is a Trojan virus?

A Trojan Horse virus, or just "Trojan," is named after the Greek story in which troops penetrated and overran the city of Troy while riding a wooden horse. Like this, a Trojan virus poses as something it is not, such as a helpful piece of software, an innocent file, or a software that looks genuine. However, there is malicious code intended to corrupt, steal, or obtain unauthorised access to data or systems is hidden behind this facade.

What does a Trojan Horse virus do?

Once a Trojan has access to any device it can carry out a variety of destructive tasks. These include encrypting files and requesting a ransom to unlock them, monitoring keystrokes for password theft, establishing backdoors for additional attacks, and remotely controlling devices. Trojan viruses are among the most destructive types of malwares because of their deceitful nature, but one thing they can’t do is replicate themselves like regular viruses do.

Examples of a Trojan Horse virus

Trojan Horse viruses are not all created equally. They can take many different shapes, each of which serves a distinct function in an attacker's toolbox. Businesses need to be aware of the following examples:

1. Backdoor Trojans

Backdoor Trojan means an opening into a system, Trojan horses enable attackers to get around common authentication procedures. They give hackers remote access, which gives them the ability to steal information, infect more systems with malware, or jeopardise system security in general.

2. Remote Access Trojan (RAT)

RATs allow attackers to take total control of the compromised device remotely. Without the user's awareness, these Trojans could retrieve private files, activate webcams, and monitor behaviour. Businesses that store sensitive information should be particularly concerned about this degree of oversight.

3. Exploit

Exploits take use of particular flaws in software or devices. Attackers can run payloads intended to harm or alter systems by taking advantage of these flaws. Updating software is essential for preventing these assaults.

4. Rootkit

As a Rootkit Trojan is designed to conceal its existence on a victim's device, it is very difficult to identify. Because they work deep within the system, thieves are able to keep access for an extended period of time without being discovered by antivirus software.

5. DDoS Trojan

DDoS, or distributed denial of service Trojan horses are used to flood networks or systems with traffic in an attempt to interfere with their regular functions. These have the ability to make compromised devices a component of a coordinated assault botnet.

6. Fake antivirus Trojans

The fake Trojan horses fool users into thinking that malware has infected their device. By sending out fictitious notifications, they trick users into downloading harmful software or data theft tools.

7. Ransomware Trojan

Ransomware Trojans is one of the most notorious kinds, it encrypts a user's files and prevent access until the victim pays a ransom. There is no assurance that access will be restored, even upon payment.

Where Trojan viruses come from

Trojan viruses can sneak onto devices in various ways. Here are some of the most common sources to watch out for:

Fake email attachments claiming to be invoices, shipping details, or important updates
Malevolent websites promising free software or pirated content
Flash drives or external devices infected with Trojan horses
Downloading fraudulent applications or programs from unverified sources
Unpatched software vulnerabilities that enable Trojan installation
Links in phishing emails or messages · Social engineering tactics designed to trick users into downloads

How to prevent Trojan Horse viruses

Protecting your devices from Trojan Horse viruses requires both vigilance and proactive measures. Here’s how you can bolster your defences:

Stay cautious with email attachments and links: Avoid downloading suspicious attachments or clicking on dubious links, even if they seem to be from a reliable source.
Download software only from legitimate sources: To reduce the possibility of downloading risky software, only visit official websites and reliable app stores.
Keep software and systems updated: Latest security patches fix flaws that Trojan horses exploit so regularly check for updates on your device.
Use reliable antivirus software: Numerous Trojan attacks can be identified and stopped by antivirus software before they have a chance to cause any damage.
Educate users and employees: Raising awareness about Trojan assaults and how to spot them might lessen the chance of becoming a victim.
Implement firewalls and network monitoring: These technologies can identify anomalous activity and help stop illegal access.
Enable multifactor authentication (MFA): MFA makes your accounts even more secure in the event that your login credentials are stolen.

How OneAdvanced can help

A planned and customised approach to cybersecurity is necessary to counteract sophisticated cyberthreats like Trojan Horse malware. Partnering with OneAdvanced gives businesses the chance to improve digital security while preserving smooth, effective operations. To meet the particular difficulties posed by contemporary cyberthreats, we offer a range of solutions, such as risk assessments, proactive threat hunting, and managed cybersecurity.