Malware disguised as legitimate software that tricks users into installing it.
A Trojan horse (or simply Trojan) is malware disguised as legitimate software. Users are tricked into installing Trojans believing they're getting useful programs—games, utilities, cracked software, or security tools. Once installed, Trojans execute their malicious purpose: stealing credentials, installing backdoors, downloading additional malware, or providing remote access to attackers. Unlike viruses and worms, Trojans don't self-replicate—they rely on deception to spread.
Why It Matters
The DSC Perspective:
Trojans exploit user trust in software. Training users to download only from trusted sources, restricting software installation rights, and using application whitelisting help prevent Trojan infections.