Which form of malware looks innocent but provides a backdoor for attackers?

Which form of malware looks innocent but provides a backdoor for attackers?

• A. Virus
• B. Spyware
• C. Worm
• D. Trojan Horse

Answer: (D)

A Trojan Horse is malware that hides inside something that appears legitimate or harmless, so it looks innocent to the user. Once it’s installed, it often opens up a backdoor that lets an attacker remotely access the system, exfiltrate data, or install additional malicious payloads. This deceptive disguise is exactly what makes it fit the description of “looks innocent but provides a backdoor.” The other types don’t fit this behavior as their primary purpose or mechanism differs. A virus attaches to a host and replicates to spread, usually requiring user action to propagate. Spyware focuses on covertly collecting information from the device rather than creating a backdoor for remote control. A worm self-propagates across networks without needing to attach to a host file or rely on user actions, emphasizing rapid spread over masquerade.

A Trojan Horse is malware that hides inside something that appears legitimate or harmless, so it looks innocent to the user. Once it’s installed, it often opens up a backdoor that lets an attacker remotely access the system, exfiltrate data, or install additional malicious payloads. This deceptive disguise is exactly what makes it fit the description of “looks innocent but provides a backdoor.”

The other types don’t fit this behavior as their primary purpose or mechanism differs. A virus attaches to a host and replicates to spread, usually requiring user action to propagate. Spyware focuses on covertly collecting information from the device rather than creating a backdoor for remote control. A worm self-propagates across networks without needing to attach to a host file or rely on user actions, emphasizing rapid spread over masquerade.