Remote Access Trojan (RAT)

A Remote Access Trojan (RAT) is a type of malware designed to give an attacker complete, covert remote control over a victim's computer. Disguised as legitimate software or delivered through phishing emails and exploited vulnerabilities, a RAT installs a hidden backdoor that connects the compromised system to the attacker's command-and-control server. This allows the adversary to operate undetected, bypassing normal authentication and security controls entirely.

Once installed, a RAT grants extensive capabilities including real-time surveillance, keylogging, screen capturing, file access and manipulation, execution of arbitrary commands, modification of system settings, and deployment of additional malware. These features make RATs a preferred tool for data exfiltration, corporate espionage, and maintaining long-term unauthorized access. Because they operate silently in the background, RATs pose a severe and persistent threat to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of digital assets, making their detection and removal a critical priority in cybersecurity defense strategies.