Hackers have been relying on malware to attack businesses and individuals for the longest time. In spite on so much being written about malicious software and phishing scams, businesses continue to fall prey to malware. One of the most common and dangerous kinds of malware is trojan horse. A trojan comes off as a genuine or legit software, download or file, so the user is tricked into installing it. Here’s what companies must know about trojan horse.
Why are trojans a matter of concern?
In case of trojans, it is often hard to detect that it is a malware, which is the precise reason why people end up downloading and running the program. The kind of damage that trojan horse can cause can vary, but much like other malware types, trojans are used for stealing data, for spying on user activities, for encrypting data, or to cause additional malware attacks. For instance, the trojan file may install a ransomware file, which may encrypt certain or all files on a device or network, and the hacker may ask for a ransom.
Signs of trojan infection
How do you know that a network or device has been infected by a trojan file? There are a few tell-a-tale signs of malware infections, which apply to trojans too. For instance, your system or device may become really slow. There could be unexpected crashes, blue screens, and the user may find unusual popups, add-ons that have not been downloaded, or even security applications can be disabled by the trojan.
Can you prevent trojan attacks?
Basic security steps can go a long way for preventing malware attacks. First and foremost, invest in a good antimalware software, which is reliable and known, so that trojan files are alerted for. Secondly, ensure that passwords are long, strong and unique, and all default usernames and passwords are changed immediately. Make use of firewalls and firebreaks where necessary, and for selected accounts and users, you may want to consider multifactor authentication. Employees need to know the risk related to trojans, and they must also have a fair idea of how to find suspicious email, attachments, downloads and links. If they have downloaded or installed an unsafe file, encourage them to report the same.
Check online for more tips and ideas to prevent malware attacks, and try to stay a step ahead of hackers in ensuring security for your business. Trojans can be avoided – period!
