Trojan Horse (computing)
A Trojan horse, or Trojan, is a type of malware that masquerades as a legitimate file or helpful program but whose real purpose is, for example, to grant a hacker unauthorized access to a computer. Trojans do not attempt to inject themselves into other files like a computer virus. Trojan horses may steal information, or harm their host computer systems. Trojans may use drive-by downloads or install via online games or internet-driven applications in order to reach target computers. The term is derived from the Trojan Horse story in Greek mythology because Trojan horses employ a form of “social engineering,” presenting themselves as harmless, useful gifts, in order to persuade victims to install them on their computers.
Read more about Trojan Horse (computing): Purpose and Uses, Current Use, Common Trojan Horses
Famous quotes containing the words trojan and/or horse:
“Motherhood is the strangest thing, it can be like being one’s own Trojan horse.”
—Rebecca West (1892–1983)
“The steed bit his master;
How came this to pass?
He heard the good pastor
Cry, ‘All flesh is grass.’”
—Unknown. On a Clergyman’s Horse Biting Him (l. 1–4)