Remote access Trojan (RAT) programs are malware programs that allow the target computer to be controlled remotely. In the event of a compromised host system, the intruder may distribute RATs to other vulnerable computers and establish a botnet by using it. Table of contents
Full Answer
What is a remote access trojan (RAT)?
Malware spotlight: What is a Remote Access Trojan (RAT)? A Remote Access Trojan (RAT) is a type of malware that allows covert surveillance, a backdoor for administrative control and unfettered and unauthorized remote access to a victim’s machine.
What is a malware botnet?
A malicious bot is self-propagating malware designed to infect a host and connect back to a central server or servers that act as a command and control (C&C) center for an entire network of compromised devices, or "botnet." With a botnet, attackers can launch broad-based, "remote-control," flood-type attacks against their target (s).
What is the difference between Trojan and bot?
Unlike viruses and worms, Trojans do not reproduce by infecting other files nor do they self-replicate. Trojans must spread through user interaction such as opening an email attachment or downloading and running a file from the Internet. "Bot" is derived from the word "robot" and is an automated process that interacts with other network services.
What is a Trojan and how does it work?
After it is activated, it can achieve any number of attacks on the host, from irritating the user (popping up windows or changing desktops) to damaging the host (deleting files, stealing data, or activating and spreading other malware, such as viruses). Trojans are also known to create backdoors to give malicious users access to the system.
What is a remote Trojan?
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.
Is remote access Trojan a backdoor?
Remote access Trojans are malware programs that use backdoors to control the target machine with administrative privilege. These type of Trojans are downloaded invisibly with a user request for a program such as a game or an email attachment.
Which of the following is a remote Trojan?
Troya is a remote Trojan that works remotely for its creator.
What are the main features of a remote access Trojan?
Remote Access Trojan Definition Instead of destroying files or stealing data, a RAT gives attackers full control of a desktop or mobile device so that they can silently browse applications and files and bypass common security such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and authentication controls.
What is difference between backdoor and Trojan?
Once activated, a trojan can spy on your activities, steal sensitive data, and set up backdoor access to your machine. A backdoor is a specific type of trojan that aims to infect a system without the knowledge of the user.
What do botnets steal?
Financial breach– includes botnets specifically designed for the direct theft of funds from enterprises and credit card information. Financial botnets, like the ZeuS botnet, have been responsible for attacks involving millions of dollars stolen directly from multiple enterprises over very short periods of time.
Is remote access Trojan illegal?
Law enforcement officials say that simply possessing a remote-access tool isn't illegal. In fact, remote-access tools are often used for IT support purposes in corporate environments.
Which of the following is a type of Trojan?
Trojan-Downloader is a special type of trojans which can download & install new versions of malicious programs. Explanation: Trojan-Downloader is another type of trojans that can download & install new versions of malicious programs.
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.
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...•
Can Kaspersky detect remote access Trojan?
Put a good antivirus on your smartphone. For example, Kaspersky Internet Security for Android not only finds and removes Trojans, but also blocks websites with malware and mobile subscriptions.
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 the difference between rat and backdoor?
The term “RAT” (Remote Access Tool) can be considered a synonym to “backdoor”, but it usually signifies a full bundle including a client application meant for installation on the target system, and a server component that allows administration and control of the individual 'bots' or compromised systems.
How do hackers create a backdoor?
An open port is a port on the network that accepts incoming packets from remote locations. As a result, it has the potential to be exploited by hackers. In fact, a common way for hackers to create a backdoor is by opening up a port on the target's machine and installing an agent/program to listen in on that port.
What is the difference between a Trojan and a rat quizlet?
A RAT gives the attacker unauthorized remote access to the victim's computer. A Trojan can carry malware while a RAT cannot. A RAT can infect only a smartphone and not a computer.
What are rootkits used for?
The whole purpose of a rootkit is to protect malware. Think of it like an invisibility cloak for a malicious program. This malware is then used by cybercriminals to launch an attack. The malware protected by rootkit can even survive multiple reboots and just blends in with regular computer processes.
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...
How does RAT malware work?
RAT malware works clandestinely. Hackers use the C&C server to establish connectivity and get remote, administrative control over the victim’s computer. RATs can be very dangerous if they go unnoticed. However, applying appropriate security controls and best practices can prevent hackers from compromising your computer.
How is the RAT installed on my computer?
RAT is often similar to other malware infection vectors. Hackers use various techniques to install a RAT on your computer. These techniques and methods are listed below:
How do RATs differ from keyloggers?
However, RATs differ from keyloggers in that they give attackers unauthorized remote access to a victim’s computer through a special setup of communication protocols, which are configured during the initial infection of the infected machine.
How does a RAT work on my computer?
In the aftermath of a successful installation, RAT establishes a direct connectivity to the command-and-control (C&C) server, which is owned by the hackers, by using the predefined open TCP port of the compromised computer. The C&C server creates a remote communication on the victim’s machine. The RAT also has the ability to connect with one or more C&C servers run by the intruders.
How can a RAT be avoided?
There are a number of tools, techniques and best practices that can be used to avoid a RAT attack. Below is a detailed list of them:
What is the beast malware?
Beast. Beast is another type of malware that mostly attacks Windows operating systems. It was developed in 2002 and is still in use to a large extent. Until recently, it attacked a series of operating systems ranging from Windows 95 to Windows 10.
Why is it difficult to avoid a RAT?
It is sometimes difficult to avoid a RAT because the attackers use a binder to link a RAT with legitimate executable programs, which hampers the detector from finding it. Though RATs don’t show up in running processes, using a task manager to look for unfamiliar or unknown processes is a good practice.
What is a remote access Trojan?
There are several remote access systems that may have legitimate applications , but they are known as tools that hackers use primarily as part of a Trojan; these are classified as remote access Trojans.
What is a Remote Access Trojan and How it Works, Exactly?
A remote access Trojan, more popularly known as RAT, is a type of malware that can carry out covert surveillance on a victim’s computer.
What is botnet hacking?
Essentially, a botnet allows a hacker to use a computer’s resources for tasks like DDOS attacks, Bitcoin mining, file hosting, and torrenting.
What is darkcomet software?
DarkComet – The software allows spying by keylogging, screen capture, and password collection. The controlling hacker can also operate the power functions of a remote computer, allowing it to be turned on or off remotely.
What is RAT Detection Tool #3?
RAT Detection Tool #3 – Suricata: This is a rate-based system that applies application layer analysis, so it will detect the signatures that are distributed between the packages. It monitors the activity of the IP, TLS, TCP, and UDP protocols and targets key network applications such as FTP, HTTP, ICMP, and SMB.
What is RAT tool 2?
RAT Detection Tool #2 – Bro: This is a free NIDS that can be installed on Unix, Linux, and Mac OS. It is highly analytical because it applies cross-packet analysis and uses signature-based analysis and anomaly-based detection.
Why are obfuscation methods used in parallel programs?
The obfuscation methods used by parallel programs to hide RAT procedures make them very difficult to detect.
How to protect yourself from remote access trojans?
Just like protecting yourself from other network malware threats, for remote access trojan protection, in general, you need to avoid downloading unknown items; keep antimalware and firewall up to date, change your usernames and passwords regularly; (for administrative perspective) block unused ports, turn off unused services, and monitor outgoing traffic.
What is a RAT trojan?
RAT trojan is typically installed on a computer without its owner’s knowledge and often as a trojan horse or payload. For example, it is usually downloaded invisibly with an email attachment, torrent files, weblinks, or a user-desired program like a game. While targeted attacks by a motivated attacker may deceive desired targets into installing RAT ...
What Does a RAT Virus Do?
Since a remote access trojan enables administrative control , it is able to do almost everything on the victim machine.
How does RAT malware work?
Once get into the victim’s machine, RAT malware will hide its harmful operations from either the victim or the antivirus or firewall and use the infected host to spread itself to other vulnerable computers to build a botnet.
Why is Darkcomet no longer available?
The reason is due to its usage in the Syrian civil war to monitor activists as well as its author’s fear of being arrested for unnamed reasons.
Why do RATs use a randomized filename?
It is kind of difficult. RATs are covert by nature and may make use of a randomized filename or file path structure to try to prevent identification of itself. Commonly, a RAT worm virus does not show up in the lists of running programs or tasks and its actions are similar to those of legal programs.
Is Sub 7 a trojan horse?
Typically, Sub 7 allows undetected and unauthorized access. So, it is usually regarded as a trojan horse by the security industry. Sub7 worked on the Windows 9x and Windows NT family of OSes, up to and including Windows 8.1. Sub7 has not been maintained since 2014. 4.
What is a hacker trying to gain remote access to a company computer?
A hacker is trying to gain remote access to a company computer by trying brute force password attacks using a few common passwords in conjunction with multiple usernames. What specific type of password attack is the hacker most likely performing?
Can fileless malware replicate?
A fileless malicious software can replicate between processes in memory on a local host or over network shares. What other behaviors and techniques would classify malware as fileless rather than a normal virus? (Select all that apply.)
