A Remote Access Trojan (RAT) is a sophisticated type of malicious software designed to provide an attacker with complete, unauthorized remote control over an infected computer system. Operating covertly, RATs represent one of the most dangerous categories of cyber threats in modern cybersecurity.

How Remote Access Trojans Work

RATs employ the classic Trojan horse deception method, disguising themselves as legitimate applications or software to trick users into installation. Common infection vectors include:

• Phishing emails with malicious attachments
• Compromised software downloads
• Exploitation of system vulnerabilities
• Social engineering tactics

Once executed, the RAT establishes a persistent backdoor, creating a hidden communication channel to a remote command-and-control (C2) server controlled by the attacker.

Capabilities and Threats

Remote Access Trojans grant attackers extensive control over compromised systems, including:

• Surveillance: Real-time monitoring of user activities
• Keylogging: Recording all keystrokes to capture passwords and sensitive data
• Screen capturing: Taking screenshots or recording video of the victim's display
• File access: Browsing, downloading, uploading, and modifying files
• System manipulation: Changing configurations and executing arbitrary commands
• Payload deployment: Installing additional malware

Impact on Organizations

RAT infections can lead to severe consequences including data exfiltration, corporate espionage, intellectual property theft, and complete system compromise. These threats fundamentally undermine the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems and networks.