What do trojans do to a computer

History of the Trojan Horse. The Trojan horse gave them the access they had been wanting for a decade. A Trojan virus, similarly, can be a good way to get behind an otherwise tight set of defenses. The Trojan horse appeared to be a legitimate gift.

In a similar vein, a Trojan virus looks like legitimate software. How Do Trojans Work? Most Common Types of Trojan Malware. The most common types of Trojan used include: Backdoor Trojan : A backdoor Trojan enables an attacker to gain remote access to a computer and take control of it using a backdoor.

This enables the malicious actor to do whatever they want on the device, such as deleting files, rebooting the computer, stealing data, or uploading malware. A backdoor Trojan is frequently used to create a botnet through a network of zombie computers. It attempts to steal account data for credit and debit cards, e-payment systems, and online banking systems.

Distributed denial-of-service DDoS Trojan : These Trojan programs carry out attacks that overload a network with traffic. It will send multiple requests from a computer or a group of computers to overwhelm a target web address and cause a denial of service. Downloader Trojan : A downloader Trojan targets a computer that has already been infected by malware, then downloads and installs more malicious programs to it.

This could be additional Trojans or other types of malware like adware. Exploit Trojan : An exploit malware program contains code or data that takes advantage of specific vulnerabilities within an application or computer system. The cyber criminal will target users through a method like a phishing attack, then use the code in the program to exploit a known vulnerability.

Fake antivirus Trojan : A fake antivirus Trojan simulates the actions of legitimate antivirus software. The Trojan is designed to detect and remove threats like a regular antivirus program, then extort money from users for removing threats that may be nonexistent. Game-thief Trojan : A game-thief Trojan is specifically designed to steal user account information from people playing online games. Once a Trojan infects your device, the most universal way to clean it up and restore it to a desired state is to use a good quality, automated anti-malware tool and make a full system scan.

If you're worred about a Trojan infection, you can try our free Trojan scanner to check your device. There are many free antivirus and anti-malware programs—including our own products for Windows, Android, and Mac—which detect and remove adware and malware.

We even help mitigate additional infection by cutting off communication between the inserted malware and any backend server, which isolates the Trojan. Our free malware tool will scan and remove existing malware, and our premium product will proactively scan and protect against malware like Trojans, viruses, worms , and ransomware.

You can start with a free trial of our premium products to test them out for yourself. Since Trojans rely on fooling users into letting them into the computer, most infections are avoidable by remaining vigilant and observing good security habits.

Another precaution to consider: change the default Windows settings so that the real extensions of applications are always visible.

This avoids getting tricked by an innocent looking icon. Other good practices besides installing Malwarebytes for Windows , Malwarebytes for Android , and Malwarebytes for Mac include:. At Malwarebytes, we are serious about infection prevention, which is why we aggressively block both websites and advertisements that we consider fraudulent or suspicious.

For example, we block torrent sites like The Pirate Bay. Though many savvy users have used such sites without issue, some of the files they offer for download are really Trojans.

For similar reasons, we also block cryptomining through browsers, but the user can choose to turn off the block and connect. To learn more about Trojans, malware, and other cyberthreats, check out the Malwarebytes Labs blog.

The things you learn may just help you avoid an infection down the road. The official Malwarebytes logo The official Malwarebytes logo in a blue font. Online Privacy. Business Business Solutions. Get Started Find the right solution for your business See business pricing Don't know where to start? Help me choose a product See what Malwarebytes can do for you Get a free trial Our team is ready to help. Partners Explore Partnerships. Partner Success Story.

Resources Resources Learn About Cybersecurity. Malwarebytes Labs. Business Resources. See Content. Trojan horse news What is a Trojan? Rootkit Trojan A rootkit aims to hide or obscure an object on your infected computer. Trojan banker This Trojan takes aim at your financial accounts. Trojan IM This Trojan targets instant messaging. It steals your logins and passwords on IM platforms.

There are a lot more. Examples of Trojan malware attacks Trojan malware attacks can inflict a lot of damage. Rakhni Trojan. This malware has been around since More recently, it can deliver ransomware or a cryptojacker allowing criminals to use your device to mine for cryptocurrency to infected computers.

This banking Trojan is another oldie but baddie. It uses keystroke logging — recording your keystrokes as you log into your bank account, for instance — to steal your credentials and perhaps your account balance as well.

First, the dos: Computer security begins with installing and running an internet security suite. Run periodic diagnostic scans with your software. You can set it up so the program runs scans automatically during regular intervals. Cybercriminals tend to exploit security holes in outdated software programs.

In addition to operating system updates, you should also check for updates on other software that you use on your computer. Protect your accounts with complex, unique passwords.

Create a unique password for each account using a complex combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Keep your personal information safe with firewalls. Back up your files regularly. If a Trojan infects your computer, this will help you to restore your data. Be careful with email attachments. To help stay safe, scan an email attachment first.

Trojan war winners and losers A final note on Trojans for history and mythology buffs. Editorial note: Our articles provide educational information for you. NortonLifeLock offerings may not cover or protect against every type of crime, fraud, or threat we write about. Like the wooden horse used to sack Troy, the "payload" carried by a Trojan is unknown to the user, but it can act as a delivery vehicle for a variety of threats.

Backdoor Trojans - This type of Trojan allows hackers to remotely access and control a computer, often for the purpose of uploading, downloading, or executing files at will. Exploit Trojans -These Trojans inject a machine with code deliberately designed to take advantage of a weakness inherent to a specific piece of software. Rootkit Trojans -These Trojans are intended to prevent the discovery of malware already infecting a system so that it can affect maximum damage. Banker Trojans -This type of Trojan specifically targets personal information used for banking and other online transactions.

Distributed Denial of Service DDoS Trojans - These are programmed to execute DDoS attacks, where a network or machine is disabled by a flood of requests originating from many different sources. Downloader Trojans -These are files written to download additional malware, often including more Trojans, onto a device.

Because Trojans are used as a delivery device for a number of different types of malware, if you suspect your device may have been breached by a Trojan, you should look for many of the same telltale signs of malicious software.