Tech

Internet security threats 101: A business’s guide to trojan horse!

Small businesses must spend considerable time in identifying common internet security threats. Among the serious concerns is malware, which comes in various forms. Trojan Horse is one of them. In this post, we are discussing it all about trojan horse.

What is trojan horse?

Trojan horse is a type of malware, which comes off as a legit software, tricking the user to install it. Once installed, it infects the system and can install other kinds of malware, such as ransomware. Hackers also use this kind of program to create a backdoor, to gain unauthorized access into a system or device. Trojans are designed to cause security breaches and data theft, and in some cases, the malware may install another program, such as spyware for spying. One of the prime reasons why businesses need to be careful about trojans is the nature of the program. It’s hard to detect this kind of malware, and trojans can delete, modify or copy information or data.

Types of trojan horse

There are different kinds of trojan horses that hackers use. The most common kind is called a rootkit, which offers remote control to the hacker of the user’s device. Another trojan is called Trojan-Banker, which can steal data from banking systems. Then there is Trojan-ransomware, which encrypts data, and in return, the hacker will ask for a ransom. Other kinds of trojans include spyware and FakeAV.

Is it possible to prevent trojan attacks?

Cybersecurity is all about proactive measures, and certain steps can go a long way in preventing a trojan attack.

  1. Train your employees on malware and trojans. They should know the threats and how to identify suspicious emails and attachments. Get cybersecurity experts, if required, to conduct workshops.
  2. Install antispyware, antivirus, and antimalware software. These programs can detect the presence of trojans and can also alert the user whenever there is a suspicious file, attachment or email download.
  3. Focus on password protection. Social engineering is one of the many methods that hackers use to attack businesses, and it is important to focus on password protection. Ensure that employees use strong passwords and are using a password management tool.

Finally, stay ahead and test your networks, networked devices and programs. Ensure that all outdated software and firmware are removed, and update the existing ones to the latest versions. As required, engage ethical hackers to test your IT environment to find possible flaws that hackers often tend to exploit.