Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

Which term refers to a malware that pretends to be legitimate software but is designed to steal information from users?

1. Virus

2. Trojan

3. Worm

4. Adware

The correct answer is: Trojan

The term that refers to malware designed to appear as legitimate software while aiming to steal information from users is a Trojan. Trojans typically disguise themselves as useful applications or software to gain the trust of the user. Once installed, they can create backdoors for attackers, allowing them to access sensitive information such as passwords, financial data, and other personal information without the user's knowledge. In contrast, a virus is a type of malware that attaches itself to legitimate software and spreads by replicating itself, requiring a host program to execute. A worm is a standalone malware that spreads across networks, often without user interaction, and primarily focuses on propagation rather than disguising itself as legitimate software. Adware, on the other hand, usually displays unwanted advertisements and may track user behavior, but it does not inherently disguise itself as legitimate software for the purpose of stealing information.