M
Michael D. Alligood
I went to check out the new XP theme that has seemed to "leak out". When I
downloaded it, my spyware and security programs went off indicating that the
exe file was a RAT. For those who are unfamiliar, here you go:
RAT: A Remote Administration Tool, or RAT, is a Trojan that when run,
provides an attacker with the capability of remotely controlling a machine
via a ""client"" in the attacker's machine, and a ""server"" in the victim's
machine. Examples include Back Orifice, NetBus, SubSeven, and Hack'a'tack.
What happens when a server is installed in a victim's machine depends on the
capabilities of the trojan, the interests of the attacker, and whether or
not control of the server is ever gained by another attacker -- who might
have entirely different interests. Infections by remote administration
Trojans on Windows machines are becoming as frequent as viruses. One common
vector is through File and Print Sharing, when home users inadvertently open
up their system to the rest of the world. If an attacker has access to the
hard-drive, he/she can place the trojan in the startup folder. This will run
the trojan the next time the user logs in. Another common vector is when the
attacker simply e-mails the trojan to the user along with a social
engineering hack that convinces the user to run it against their better
judgment.
downloaded it, my spyware and security programs went off indicating that the
exe file was a RAT. For those who are unfamiliar, here you go:
RAT: A Remote Administration Tool, or RAT, is a Trojan that when run,
provides an attacker with the capability of remotely controlling a machine
via a ""client"" in the attacker's machine, and a ""server"" in the victim's
machine. Examples include Back Orifice, NetBus, SubSeven, and Hack'a'tack.
What happens when a server is installed in a victim's machine depends on the
capabilities of the trojan, the interests of the attacker, and whether or
not control of the server is ever gained by another attacker -- who might
have entirely different interests. Infections by remote administration
Trojans on Windows machines are becoming as frequent as viruses. One common
vector is through File and Print Sharing, when home users inadvertently open
up their system to the rest of the world. If an attacker has access to the
hard-drive, he/she can place the trojan in the startup folder. This will run
the trojan the next time the user logs in. Another common vector is when the
attacker simply e-mails the trojan to the user along with a social
engineering hack that convinces the user to run it against their better
judgment.