WHAT IS R.A.T?

 

A remote access Trojan (RAT) is a malware program that includes a back door for administrative control over the target computer.

RATs are usually downloaded invisibly with a user-requested program - such as a game - or sent as an email attachment.

Once the host system is compromised the intruder may use it to distribute RATs to other vulnerable computers and establish a botnet.

Because a RAT enables administrative control. it makes it possible for the intruder to do just about anything on the targeted computer, including:

• Monitoring user behavior through keyloggers or other spyware.
• Accessing confidential information, such as credit card and social security numbers.
• Activating a system's webcam and recording video.
• Taking screenshots.
• Distributing viruses and other malware.
• Formatting drives.
• Deleting, downloading, or altering files and file systems.

RATs can be difficult to detect because they usually don't show up in lists of running programs or tasks. 

The action they perform can be similar to those of legitimate programs.

Furthermore, an intruder will often manage the level of resource use so that a drop in performance doesn't alert the user that something's amiss.