Remote-access Guide

how to block remote access trojans on a sever

by Anissa Zemlak Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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While formatting a computer or server is a drastic move and can be inconvenient, especially if the malware has spread to multiple devices, it’s a surefire way to eliminate Remote Access Trojans. The best option, especially for larger organizations, is to employ an intrusion detection system, which can be host-based or network-based.

Full Answer

How to remove remote access trojans (rat)?

While formatting a computer or server is a drastic move and can be inconvenient, especially if the malware has spread to multiple devices, it’s a surefire way to eliminate Remote Access Trojans. The best option, especially for larger organizations, is to employ an intrusion detection system, which can be host-based or network-based.

How do I protect against a remote access trojan?

While there are several measures that can be helpful depending on the size of the environment you’re looking to protect—including security awareness training and antivirus software— intrusion detection systems are your best bet for preventing a Remote Access Trojan from slipping past your security setup.

What is rat Trojan and how does it work?

It infects the target computer through specially configured communication protocols and enables the attacker to gain unauthorized remote access to the victim. RAT trojan is typically installed on a computer without its owner’s knowledge and often as a trojan horse or payload.

How do I turn off remote access to my computer?

In the search box on the top right, enter "Remote". Click on "Allow remote access to this computer" to open the Remote Access Settings. Uncheck the Checkbox "Allow remote support connections to this computer". Click "OK" and your computer will no longer accept remote desktop connections.

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Can a Trojan give remote access?

Remote access trojans (RATs) are malware designed to allow an attacker to remotely control an infected computer. Once the RAT is running on a compromised system, the attacker can send commands to it and receive data back in response.

How are remote access Trojans delivered?

A remote access Trojan (RAT) is a malware program that includes a back door for administrative control over the target computer. RATs are usually downloaded invisibly with a user-requested program -- such as a game -- or sent as an email attachment.

What are the variant of remote access Trojan?

There are a large number of Remote Access Trojans. Some are more well-known than others. SubSeven, Back Orifice, ProRat, Turkojan, and Poison-Ivy are established programs. Others, such as CyberGate, DarkComet, Optix, Shark, and VorteX Rat have a smaller distribution and utilization.

How do Trojans avoid detection?

The trojan uses Alternate Data Stream (ADS) as a technique to run follow-up malware. The configuration scripts used during the infection process are obfuscated in an attempt to evade detection. The use of ADS, in particular, represents a serious ongoing threat, as it can easily hide follow-up malware.

How do I know if someone is accessing my computer remotely?

You can try any of these for confirmation.Way 1: Disconnect Your Computer From the Internet.Way 2. ... Way 3: Check Your Browser History on The Computer.Way 4: Check Recently Modified Files.Way 5: Check Your computer's Login Events.Way 6: Use the Task Manager to Detect Remote Access.Way 7: Check Your Firewall Settings.More items...•

What is a backdoor Trojan?

Backdoor malware is generally classified as a Trojan. A Trojan is a malicious computer program pretending to be something it's not for the purposes of delivering malware, stealing data, or opening up a backdoor on your system.

Which is the best remote access Trojan?

Blackshades is a Trojan which is widely used by hackers to gain access to any system remotely. This tool frequently attacks the Windows-based operating system for access.

How would users recognize if ones computer is infected?

Signs of an infection include your computer acting strangely, glitching and running abnormally slow. Installing and routinely updating antivirus software can prevent virus and malware infections, as can following cautious best practices.

What can NanoCore do?

NanoCore can provide the threat actor with information such as computer name and OS of the affected system. It also opens a backdoor that allows the threat actors to access the webcam and microphone, view the desktop, create internet message windows and offers other options.

Can Microsoft Defender remove Trojan?

Windows Defender comes packed with the Windows 10 update and offers top-notch antimalware protection to keep your device and data safe. Although, Windows Defender is not capable of handling all kinds of viruses, malware, trojan, and other security threats.

How can Trojans be detected?

A Trojan horse scanner is required to scan your computer for Trojans. If a Trojan horse scanner or anti-virus software is already installed on the computer, this should be updated before the scan process. In addition, all temporary files should also be deleted in order to speed up the virus scan.

Can you remove a trojan virus?

Trojan viruses can be removed in various ways. If you know which software contains the malware, you can simply uninstall it. However, the most effective way to remove all traces of a Trojan virus is to install antivirus software capable of detecting and removing Trojans.

Are PUPs malware?

Type and source of infection. Detections categorized as PUPs are not considered as malicious as other forms of malware, and may even be regarded by some as useful. Malwarebytes detects potentially unwanted programs for several reasons, including: They may have been installed without the user's consent.

What is data sending Trojan?

A data-sending Trojan is a kind of Trojan virus that relays sensitive information back to its owner. This type of Trojan can be used to retrieve sensitive data, including credit card information, email addresses, passwords, instant messaging contact lists, log files and so on.

Is a backdoor malware?

A backdoor is a malware type that negates normal authentication procedures to access a system. As a result, remote access is granted to resources within an application, such as databases and file servers, giving perpetrators the ability to remotely issue system commands and update malware.

Can an Iphone get a remote access Trojan?

The iOS Trojan is smart and spies discretely, i.e. does not drain a battery. The RCS mobile Trojans are capable of performing all kinds of spying you can expect from such a tool, including location reporting, taking photos, spying on SMS, WhatsApp and other messengers, stealing contacts and so on.

What is RAT software?

RAT can also stand for remote administration tool, which is software giving a user full control of a tech device remotely. With it, the user can ac...

What’s the difference between the RAT computer virus and RAT software?

As for functions, there is no difference between the two. Yet, while remote administration tool is for legit usage, RAT connotes malicious and crim...

What are the popular remote access applications?

The common remote desktop tools include but are not limited to TeamViewer, AnyDesk, Chrome Remote Desktop, ConnectWise Control, Splashtop Business...

What happens if you install remote access Trojans?

If hackers manage to install Remote Access Trojans in important infrastructural areas—such as power stations, traffic control systems, or telephone networks—they can wreak havoc across neighborhoods, cities, and even entire nations.

What is remote access trojan?

Like most other forms of malware, Remote Access Trojans are often attached to files appearing to be legitimate, like emails or software bundles. However, what makes Remote Access Trojans particularly insidious is they can often mimic above-board remote access programs.

How does Snort intrusion detection work?

The intrusion detection mode operates by applying threat intelligence policies to the data it collects, and Snort has predefined rules available on their website, where you can also download policies generated by the Snort user community. You can also create your own policies or tweak the ones Snort provides. These include both anomaly- and signature-based policies, making the application’s scope fairly broad and inclusive. Snort’s base policies can flag several potential security threats, including OS fingerprinting, SMB probes, and stealth port scanning.

What is the best way to detect malware?

The best option, especially for larger organizations, is to employ an intrusion detection system, which can be host-based or network-based. Host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDSs), which are installed on a specific device, monitor log files and application data for signs of malicious activity; network-based intrusion detection systems (NIDSs), on the other hand, track network traffic in real time, on the lookout for suspicious behavior. When used together, HIDSs and NIDSs create a security information and event management (SIEM) system. SIEM is an incredibly beneficial part of a strong security regimen and can help to block software intrusions which have slipped past firewalls, antivirus software, and other security countermeasures.

What was the Russian attack on Georgia?

An example of this occurred in 2008, when Russia used a coordinated campaign of physical and cyber warfare to seize territory from the neighboring Republic of Georgia. The Russian government did this using distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks which cut off internet coverage across Georgia, combined with APTs and RATs allowing the government to both collect intelligence about and disrupt Georgian military operations and hardware. News agencies across Georgia were also targeted, many of which had their websites either taken down or radically altered.

How do remote access Trojans evade live data analysis?

One way in which Remote Access Trojans can evade the live data analysis NIDSs provide is by dividing the command messaging sent through the malware across multiple data packets. NIDSs like Zeek, which focus more on application layers, are better able to detect split command messaging by running analyses across multiple data packets. This is one advantage Zeek has over Snort.

What is APT in computer security?

The practice of stealthy, ongoing hacking seeking to accumulate data over time, as opposed to causing damage to information or systems, is known as an advanced persistent threat (APT ). Remote Access Trojans are a powerful tool in this type of attack, because they do not slow down a computer’s performance or automatically begin deleting files once installed—and because they’re so adaptable.

What is remote access trojan?

The Remote Access Trojan is a type of malware that lets a hacker remotely (hence the name) take control of a computer. Let’s analyze the name. The Trojan part is about the way the malware is distributed. It refers to the ancient Greek story of the Trojan horse that Ulysses built to take back the city of Troy which had been besieged for ten years. In the context of computer malware, a Trojan horse (or simply trojan) is a piece of malware which is distributed as something else. For instance, a game that you download and install on your computer could actually be a Trojan horse and it could contain some malware code.

How does Bro Network Security Monitor work?

The Bro Network Security Monitor, another free network intrusion detection system. The tool operates in two phases: traffic logging and traffic analysis. Just like Suricata, Bro Network Security Monitor operates at multiple layers up to the application layer. This allows for better detection of split intrusion attempts. The tool’s analysis module is made up of two elements. The first element is called the event engine and it tracks triggering events such as net TCP connections or HTTP requests. The events are then analyzed by policy scripts, the second element, which decide whether or not to trigger an alarm and/or launch an action. The possibility of launching an action gives the Bro Network Security Monitor some IPS-like functionality.

Why do hackers use RATs?

As such, they can be seen as weapons. Hackers around the world use RATs to spy on companies and steal their data and money. Meanwhile, the RAT problem has now become an issue of national security for many countries, including the USA.

Can a hacker use a remote computer?

The controlling hacker can also operate the power functions of a remote computer, allowing a computer to be turned on or off remotely. The network functions of an infected computer can also be harnessed to use the computer as a proxy server and mask its user’s identity during raids on other computers.

Can a game be a Trojan horse?

For instance, a game that you download and install on your computer could actually be a Trojan horse and it could contain some malware code. As for the remote access part of the RAT’s name, it has to do with what the malware does. Simply put, it allows its author to have remote access to the infected computer.

Is virus protection software legit?

This is due in part to their nature. They hide in plain sight as something else which is totally legit. For that reason, they are often best detected by systems that are analyzing computers for abnormal behaviour.

How are Remote Access Trojans Useful to Hackers?

Attackers using remote control malware cut power to 80,000 people by remotely accessing a computer authenticated into SCADA (supervisor y control and data acquisition) machines that controlled the country’s utility infrastructure. RAT software made it possible for the attacker to access sensitive resources through bypassing the authenticated user's elevated privileges on the network. Having access to critical machines that control city resources and infrastructure is one of the biggest dangers of RAT malware.

Why do attackers use remote devices?

Instead of storing the content on their own servers and cloud devices, attackers use targeted stolen devices so that they can avoid having accounts and servers shut down for illegal content.

How to install a RAT?

An attacker must convince the user to install a RAT either by downloading malicious software from the web or running an executable from a malicious email attachment or message. RATs can also be installed using macros in Microsoft Word or Excel documents. When a user allows the macro to run on a device, the macro silently downloads RAT malware and installs it. With the RAT installed, an attacker can now remotely control the desktop, including mouse movement, mouse clicks, camera controls, keyboard actions, and any configured peripherals.

Why do attackers use RATs?

RATs have the same remote-control functionality as RDPs, but are used for malicious purposes. Attackers always code software to avoid detection, but attackers who use a RAT risk being caught when the user is in front of the device and the mouse moves across the screen. Therefore, RAT authors must create a hidden program and use it when the user is not in front of the device. To avoid detection, a RAT author will hide the program from view in Task Manager, a Windows tool that lists all the programs and processes running in memory. Attackers aim to stay hidden from detection because it gives them more time to extract data and explore network resources for critical components that could be used in future attacks.

What happens if you don't see malware in Task Manager?

If you don’t see any potential malware in Task Manager, you could still have a RAT that an author programmed to avoid detection. Good anti-malware applications detect most of the common RATs in the wild. Any zero-day malware remains undetected until the user updates their anti-malware software, so it’s important to keep your anti-malware and antivirus software updated. Vendors for these programs publish updates frequently as new malware is found in the wild.

What is remote control software?

Legitimate remote-control software exists to enable an administrator to control a device remotely. For example, administrators use Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) configured on a Windows server to remotely manage a system physically located at another site such as a data center. Physical access to the data center isn’t available to administrators, so RDP gives them access to configure the server and manage it for corporate productivity.

What happens if you remove the internet from your computer?

Removing the Internet connection from the device disables remote access to your system by an attacker. After the device can no longer connect to the Internet, use your installed anti-malware program to remove it from local storage and memory. Unless you have monitoring configured on your computer, you won't know which data and files transferred to an attacker. You should always change passwords across all accounts, especially financial accounts, after removing malware from your system.

Anyone have a good list of people to follow on twitter for security updates? Preferably ones that have a lot of technical content

I know twitter is very good for security news, but a lot of the ones I find are just like news sites that don't tell me much about the technical side of new vulnerabilities, attacks and bugs.

Accidentally DIRBed the wrong site

I was playing around with dirb and was going to run it on a private test site but had a typo and accidentally ran it on an actual website and didn't realize for a few minutes that I had messed it up. Should I reach out to site administrator or be concerned or is it ok?

Discovered IDOR vuln that reveal vaccination records

Upon receiving my vaccination record, I discovered that I was able retrieve other vaccination records along with other patient data by simply incrementing url values. Worst part is that you can retrieve these records without being authenticated.

Sitting through Offsec 2-3 day exams

I'm wondering what people with full time jobs and kids are doing about the Offsec courses with 2-3 day exams. Are you just biting the bullet and taking the exam or just taking the training and not taking the exam?

Multiple firewall layers - are they necessary?

I was sitting around today pulling my hair out at the prospect of automating rulebases, objects, etc across the separate vendors we use for our edge and internal firewall. Then the question hit me - why do we even have an internal firewall?

How do you get open-source releases of vulnerabilities and other cyber threat news?

It seems like Twitter is the answer, but I'm curious if I'm missing some sort of centralized hub for this kind of information that is free of unimportant information. What do you personally use?

How to allow remote desktop access to my computer?

In the search box on the top right, enter "Remote". Click on "Allow remote access to this computer" to open the Remote Access Settings. Uncheck the Checkbox "Allow remote support connections to this computer". Click "OK" and your computer will no longer accept remote desktop connections.

How to stop external parties from accessing my desktop?

If you don't wish any external parties accessing your desktop remotely, this can be done by unchecking the privileges that would otherwise allow this.

Where is the server software stored?

The server software is stored in C:WindowsBifrostserver.exe or C:Program Files Bifrostserver.exe. This directory and file are hidden and so some anti-virus system checks fail to detect Bifrost.

What is intrusion detection?

Intrusion detection systems are important tools for blocking software intrusion that can evade detection by antivirus software and firewall utilities. The SolarWinds Security Event Manager is a Host-based Intrusion Detection System. However, there is a section of the tool that works as a Network-based Intrusion Detection System. This is the Snort Log Analyzer. You can read more about Snort below, however, you should know here that it is a widely used packet sniffer. By employing Snort as a data collector to feed into the Snort Log Analyzer, you get both real-time and historic data analysis out of the Security Event Manager.

How does a RAT toolkit work?

Other elements propagate the RAT by sending out links to infected web pages. These are sent to the social media contacts of an infected user.

How to get rid of a RAT?

Sometimes, the only solution to rid your computer of a RAT is to wipe out all of your software and reinstall the operating system. RAT prevention systems are rare because the RAT software can only be identified once it is operating on your system.

What can a hacker do with a RAT?

A hacker with a RAT can command power stations, telephone networks, nuclear facilities, or gas pipelines. RATs not only represent a corporate network security risk, but they can also enable belligerent nations to cripple an enemy country.

Can antivirus be used to get rid of a RAT?

Antivirus systems don’t do very well against RATs. Often the infection of a computer or network goes undetected for years. The obfuscation methods used by parallel programs to cloak the RAT procedures make them very difficult to spot. Persistence modules that use rootkit techniques mean that RATs are very difficult to get rid of. Sometimes, the only solution to rid your computer of a RAT is to wipe out all of your software and reinstall the operating system.

Can a hacker use your internet address?

The hacker might also be using your internet address as a front for illegal activities, impersonating you, and attacking other computers. Viruses downloaded through RAT will infect other computers, while also causing damage to your system by erasing or encryption essential software.

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So, What Is A Rat?

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The Remote Access Trojanis a type of malware that lets a hacker remotely (hence the name) take control of a computer. Let’s analyze the name. The Trojan part is about the way the malware is distributed. It refers to the ancient Greek story of the Trojan horse that Ulysses built to take back the city of Troy which had been besie…
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Rats as Weapons

  • A malicious RAT developer can take control of power stations, telephone networks, nuclear facilities, or gas pipelines. As such, RATs don’t only pose a risk to corporate security. They can also enable nations to attack an enemy country. As such, they can be seen as weapons. Hackers around the world use RATs to spy on companies and steal their data and money. Meanwhile, th…
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A Few (In)Famous Rats

  • Let’s have a look at a few of the best-known RATs. Our idea here is not to glorify them but instead to give you an idea of how varied they are.
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Protecting from Rats – Intrusion Detection Tools

  • Virus protection software is sometimes useless at detecting and preventing RATs. This is due in part to their nature. They hide in plain sight as something else which is totally legit. For that reason, they are often best detected by systems that are analyzing computers for abnormal behaviour. Such systems are called intrusion detection systems. We’ve searched the market for …
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