Trojan Horse

Trojan Horse

• A. A computer program that appears to have a useful function, but also has a hidden and potentially malicious function that evades security mechanisms.
• B. A program that replicates itself and spreads between systems.
• C. A program that encrypts files for ransom.
• D. A program that scans networks for open ports.

Answer: (A)

The concept here is a program that looks useful on the surface but hides harmful functionality. A Trojan Horse relies on deception: it appears to perform a legitimate or helpful task, prompting you to run it, while secretly carrying out malicious actions that bypass security measures. Once activated, it can open a backdoor, steal data, or download additional malware, all without the user realizing. This fits Trojan horse best because it emphasizes the hidden malicious function within a seemingly legitimate program and the way it evades defenses. It’s different from worms, which spread by self-replication; from ransomware, which encrypts files for ransom; and from network scanners, which probe systems for open ports.

The concept here is a program that looks useful on the surface but hides harmful functionality. A Trojan Horse relies on deception: it appears to perform a legitimate or helpful task, prompting you to run it, while secretly carrying out malicious actions that bypass security measures. Once activated, it can open a backdoor, steal data, or download additional malware, all without the user realizing.

This fits Trojan horse best because it emphasizes the hidden malicious function within a seemingly legitimate program and the way it evades defenses. It’s different from worms, which spread by self-replication; from ransomware, which encrypts files for ransom; and from network scanners, which probe systems for open ports.