The Trojan Horse Threat

Trojan horse software is usually disguised as a familiar application. Unlike viruses, these do not replicate themselves, but they can do significant damage. One type claims to rid your computer of viruses, while it really introduces viruses and other spy-ware onto your computer.

In today's world, there are a number of types of Trojan horses which are designed to carry out various acts such as:

1. Erase or otherwise corrupt data on a hard drive.

2. Spread other spyware. In which case it is called a "dropper".

3. Set up a network of computers which will take down a mail server or other location.

4. Spying on the user by reporting data to another party such as browsing habits or keystrokes logged.

5. Stealing such information (keystrokes) in order to get passwords or credit card numbers.

6. Installing a "back door" to a user's computer in order to gain access later.

These programs can be protected against through awareness. Such as NOT opening an email or unusual attachments which arrive unexpectedly. If unopened, the program will not activate and infect your computer or network. Scan all email before opening, no matter who it is from. Any files from file-sharing services are suspect as well, since viruses and Trojan horses are spread by them. Unknown by most of the users, but they are easy targets.

If you think you may have been infected, click here

Actions to take

The main action to be taken against Trojan Horses is to identify when the infection occurred and prevent future attacks. The activity of the system which is thought to be infected will give a clue about the infection. Has it been showing activity when not in use? Is it sending traffic or e-mail over the network when no one is using it? If the answer is yes to either of these questions, unplug it from the network before trying to fix the problem.

After the computer which is infected is located and isolated from the network, the specific type of Trojan can be identified by checking media such as internet sources (anti-virus company sites, security companies, etc.), using an uninfected computer that still has access to the internet. If there is more than one computer which is infected unplug it from the network as well.

I know this is a lot of information, but it is vital if you are to protect your computer from these threats. They are out there and like the common cold, even if you have never been infected, you will be. Help for a trojan horse threat is right here . I will get your information and respond as soon as possible.