Also known as a Trojan horse, the Trojan is one of the most widely used threats in the cyber world. Through it, cybercriminals aim to create vulnerabilities or access points for the intrusion of various types of malicious software. To understand the impact this threat represents, blocks of Trojan-PSW (Password Stealing Ware), software created exclusively to steal employee passwords to gain access to a company's network or internet banking, grew by 143% in Brazil in 2022.
Just as it is told in Greek mythology, that during a war the Trojans received a wooden horse filled with soldiers hidden inside, the Trojan is also a threat that comes hidden within something legitimate . Because of the risks this type of cyberattack can pose to companies and users, it is essential to understand how it works and how to combat this trap.
To help you, we've prepared comprehensive content with everything you need to know about Trojans , their main characteristics, and ways to combat them.
Trojan: what it is and how it works
In simplified terms, a Trojan is a strategy used by cybercriminals to deliver various types of software and threats to users, facilitating numerous scams such as information and financial data theft, data leaks, file hijacking, and more.
It's important to know how to differentiate Trojans from adware and other potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). These types of files often come bundled with software as part of a partnership between developers, with the goal of delivering certain advertisements and monetization messages to the user. Do you know what a Potentially Unwanted Program is? Find out here:
Although annoying, in most cases these problems do not represent a significant risk to the user. Despite using the same distribution vector, this type of program is not usually disguised , as is the case with Trojans.
Trojan installation can happen in many ways, appearing as various files, ranging from software to advertisements; they can also be disguised as legitimate programs and applications, confusing users . Furthermore, certain behaviors can facilitate the installation of this type of software, such as:
- Through the download of cracked applications: many users seek illegal free copies of software that is usually paid for. However, cracked software can hide Trojans and cause significant harm to the user . The same applies to activation key generators.
- Downloading unknown free programs: screensavers, wallpapers, free games… many of these programs and files may be a disguise for a dangerous Trojan.
- Downloading files from untrusted websites: When downloading documents and files from untrusted websites, the risk is even greater. By receiving and opening infected attachments, you can install malware and viruses without realizing it. Malicious emails are sent with infected attachments or links that, when opened, install programs without the user's authorization, creating a significant vulnerability.
- Through access to suspicious websites: this type of infection is very common on websites that promise to download and stream videos and series. Often, they make opening these types of files conditional on downloading a related program, which is usually infected and causes many problems for your device.
Types of Trojans
Because it's a very broad scam, there are several types of Trojans that can be used depending on the malicious intentions of the cybercriminal. Below are some of the main types and how they can harm your device :
Trojan Backdoor
This is one of the simplest types of Trojan, and very dangerous for users. This threat allows your computer to be infected by various types of malware and even transformed into botnets, which are zombie computers used in large-scale attacks, such as DDoS attacks . It also allows certain commands and codes to be executed remotely on the device or to monitor your online activity.
Rootkit
The purpose of this type of Trojan is to hide certain activities or objects within the device's system. It acts as a disguise mechanism to prevent other malicious programs from being detected on the machine, thus allowing the file to run for a longer period of time.
Banking Trojans
This type of Trojan is one of the most widespread in the digital world, especially after the growth and popularization of online banking. This type of threat is used by cybercriminals to illegitimately obtain access credentials to users' bank accounts. This type of threat can use phishing techniques, redirecting users to fake pages where credentials are entered and sent to the criminal.
Trojan DDoS
One of the most worrying threats to companies is DDoS attacks (Distributed Denial of Service attacks). Through this type of attack, cybercriminals can make a company's websites and services unavailable , causing immense damage to profitability and the business's image in the market. DDoS Trojans install themselves on the computer without the user noticing, providing access for cybercriminals to carry out this attack against companies.
Trojan from fake antivirus
This threat is also extremely common on the internet and has already claimed thousands of victims worldwide. This threat is particularly dangerous because the user thinks they are protecting their computer against viruses and malware, when in fact, this application protects against nothing . On the contrary: in addition to not protecting the machine where it is installed, it also requests a monthly payment from the user, who, by providing payment details, is sending confidential information to the criminal.
What damage could this threat cause?
As we have seen, Trojans can be deployed in a variety of ways, affecting all types of devices, such as computers, automated machines, and mobile devices (like cell phones, tablets, and others). For this reason, it is important to have security tools that help maintain the digital security of all your devices.
Because it contains a wide range of malicious software, the Trojan can cause immeasurable damage to the company, such as:
Data loss
Data loss is not just a hindrance to a business's routine. Much information essential for the continuity of certain businesses is stored on their devices, and the loss of this data can disrupt operations and harm profitability .
To avoid this type of problem, in addition to security software and resources aimed at protecting devices, it is essential to have a backup policy that helps maintain a security copy of everything that is stored.
Information leak
Another very dangerous problem that can be caused by Trojans is data leaks . Especially after the General Data Protection Law, concern about leaks of confidential data has become a priority in the market.
It is the company's responsibility to ensure that the information collected and stored remains secure, protecting the identity and integrity of all its customers, partners, employees, and suppliers. Information leaks can result in fines and significantly damage the company's image.
Damage to the device
Some types of Trojans can impair the proper functioning of devices used by the company. Once damaged, it is necessary to bear the costs of the maintenance required to restore the operation of these machines .
Furthermore, the company suffers from interruptions or drops in productivity, factors that directly impact the profitability and growth of the business. The damage caused by Trojans can be varied, and the damage to devices (often irreversible) generates costs for the business .
How your company can protect itself: essential tips
It's important to remember that Trojan horses are only called that because they require user authorization to execute. This means that certain behaviors in the online environment can be harmful to the business .
In this sense, it is essential that all users remain attentive to everything that is accessed, installed, and opened on these computers. To maintain data security and protect your business, it is important to have security tools such as antivirus and firewalls that help monitor suspicious computer activity.
Internet access control is also fundamental for companies that want to avoid this type of problem. With the help of Lumiun solutions, such as Lumiun DNS and Lumiun Box , you can establish a Internet Usage Policy and ensure that your employees stay away from problems. It is also important to adopt some measures during internet use within the business, such as:
- Be very careful when opening attachments received from suspicious emails, checking the sender, verifying that the text does not contain any suspicious information, and that it is really necessary to open the document.
- Keep all your security software updated according to the developer's guidelines. These updates serve to keep these programs up-to-date with the main cyber threats on the market.
- Be careful with links found in emails and on suspicious websites, as these links are often planted as traps to trick users into installing programs inadvertently.
- Do not download pirated software or software from dubious sources. For computers, it's important that these programs are scanned by antivirus software before installation . For cell phones and other mobile devices, it's essential to use only the app store corresponding to your operating system.
- Check the file extensions to identify whether the received file is an image, document, or executable file.
- Whenever possible, use two-factor authentication to increase security when accessing information.
- Maintain a backup routine to create a security copy of everything stored by your company.
The internet, while essential, is an environment full of risks and threats . It's important for companies to establish measures and protocols that keep security up-to-date. Learn about Lumiun Box and Lumiun DNS and discover everything these tools can do to help keep your data safe and your employees safe from problems in the digital world.
Until later!
