What is a Trojan?

Question

Options

• AA type of virus
• BA type of malware that disguises itself as legitimate software
• CA type of denial-of-service attack
• DA type of phishing scam

• A
  7% (2)
• B
  86% (25)
• C
  3% (1)
• D
  3% (1)

Explanation

B is correct because a Trojan (short for "Trojan Horse") is malware that masquerades as legitimate or useful software to trick users into installing it - once inside, it can steal data, create backdoors, or download additional malware.

Why the others are wrong:

• A (virus): Trojans don't self-replicate like viruses do; they rely on user deception instead of spreading autonomously.
• C (DoS attack): A DoS attack floods a target with traffic to take it offline - a Trojan is an infection vector, not an attack method itself (though a Trojan could be used to launch a DoS).
• D (phishing scam): Phishing uses fraudulent messages (emails, fake sites) to steal credentials; a Trojan is malicious code, not a social-engineering message.

Memory tip: Think of the Trojan Horse from Greek mythology - soldiers hidden inside a gift horse. A Trojan does the same: harmful code hidden inside something that looks safe and welcome.

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