Full Answer
What is a remote access trojan (RAT)?
RAT stands for Remote Access Trojan. RATs get onto computers from spam, malware, or as part of some other software or application. A Remote Access Trojan (RAT) is a malicious program that contains a backdoor for administrative control of a target computer.
What is the difference between rats and remote access programs?
The main difference, of course, is that RATs are installed on a computer without a user’s knowledge. Most legitimate remote access programs are made for tech support and file sharing purposes, while RATs are made for spying on, hijacking, or destroying computers.
What is a remote access toolkit (rat)?
A RAT is a type of malware that’s very similar to legitimate remote access programs. The main difference, of course, is that RATs are installed on a computer without a user’s knowledge.
What are rat programs and how do they affect your computer?
Once a RAT program is connected to your computer, the hacker can examine the local files, acquire login credentials and other personal information, or use the connection to download viruses you could unwittingly spread along to others.
Can a RAT be installed remotely?
An attacker must convince the user to install a RAT either by downloading malicious software from the web or running an executable from a malicious email attachment or message. RATs can also be installed using macros in Microsoft Word or Excel documents.
What is RAT in networking?
Remote access trojans (RATs) are malware designed to allow an attacker to remotely control an infected computer. Once the RAT is running on a compromised system, the attacker can send commands to it and receive data back in response.
Is remote access Trojan illegal?
Law enforcement officials say that simply possessing a remote-access tool isn't illegal. In fact, remote-access tools are often used for IT support purposes in corporate environments.
Is TeamViewer a RAT?
The JS script then launches the malware, which installs a version of TeamViewer, a remote administration tool (RAT), modified by the attackers. As in earlier attacks, the attackers use a malicious DLL library to hide the graphical user interface in order to control the infected system without the user's knowledge.
What is RAT app?
RAT infected Android devices can be remotely zombified by the perpetrator, allowing virtually unlimited access to photos, data and messages on the device. The Dendroid RAT provides full access to infected devices' camera and microphone, and can place calls or listen in on a user's phone conversations or text messages.
Can someone RAT an Iphone?
So someone would need direct physical access to your iOS device and a computer to install a RAT exploit into it. Even if you accessed a web site or email with a RAT package hidden in it, it cannot execute or do anything on a normal iOS installation.
Is computer ratting illegal?
The law also punishes unauthorized access to a computer or computer network, with penalties ranging from a class B misdemeanor to a class D felony (punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both).
Which connection is most commonly used in rats?
RAT infections are typically carried out via spear phishing and social engineering attacks. Most are hidden inside heavily packed binaries that are dropped in the later stages of the malware's payload execution.
What is a backdoor Trojan?
Backdoor malware is generally classified as a Trojan. A Trojan is a malicious computer program pretending to be something it's not for the purposes of delivering malware, stealing data, or opening up a backdoor on your system.
Can I be hacked through TeamViewer?
If you are using TeamViewer, then beware and make sure you're running the latest version of the popular remote desktop connection software for Windows.
Can TeamViewer be detected?
You can detect TeamViewer usage by collecting traffic logs (e.g. from the Firewall). Once the logs are collected, you can use for the TeamViewer port (5983), or for TCP/443 requests to IPs with PTR records resolving to *.
What are the risks of using TeamViewer?
Understandably, their top concerns are that TeamViewer access data could be tapped or that a third party could monitor their connections. TeamViewer has brute-force attack security protocols in place to keep connections safe and private.
What is the RAT virus?
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.
What does the acronym RAT stand for?
RATAcronymDefinitionRATRace Against TimeRATRadio Access TechnologyRATRough and Tumble (South African combat sport/art)RATRapid Antigen Test63 more rows
What are RAT tools?
A remote administration tool (RAT) is a software program that gives you the ability to control another device remotely. You then have access to the device's system as if you had physical access to the device itself.
What is the full form of RAT?
Introduction of Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) in Telangana to detect coronavirus has left many questions in the minds of people, the most common being, what happens if someone with COVID-19 symptoms tests negative? Earlier, only reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests were used to detect the virus.
Can a Remote Access Trojan be installed to BIOS?
Access to the BIOS has been known to the world’s hackers since 2015. Many believe that the NSA was planting RATs and trackers on BIOS even earlier.
How is a Remote Access Trojan RAT different from a regular Trojan horse?
A Trojan is a virus that gets onto a victim computer by passing itself off as a legitimate piece of software. A RAT is a Trojan that the hacker can...
What is the Sakula Remote Access Trojan RAT?
Sakula is a RAT that is used to intrude on IT systems serving government departments and agencies, healthcare facilities, and other large organizat...
What is a RAT?
RATs are tools that are usually used in a stealth type of hacker attack, which is called an Advanced Persistent Threat, or APT. This type of intrusion is not focused on damaging information or raiding computers quickly for data.
Why do companies use RATs?
RATs can also be used to reroute traffic through your company network to mask illegal activities. Some hacker groups, predominantly in China, have even created a hacker network that runs through the corporate networks of the world and they rent out access to this cybercrime highway to other hackers.
What is intrusion detection?
Intrusion detection systems are important tools for blocking software intrusion that can evade detection by antivirus software and firewall utilities. The SolarWinds Security Event Manager is a Host-based Intrusion Detection System. However, there is a section of the tool that works as a Network-based Intrusion Detection System. This is the Snort Log Analyzer. You can read more about Snort below, however, you should know here that it is a widely used packet sniffer. By employing Snort as a data collector to feed into the Snort Log Analyzer, you get both real-time and historic data analysis out of the Security Event Manager.
How does Beast RAT work?
The Beast RAT attacks Windows systems from Windows 95 up to Windows 10. This uses the same client-server architecture that Back Orifice pioneered with the server part of the system being the malware that gets installed surreptitiously on the target computer. Once the server element is operational, the hacker can access the victim computer at will through the client program. The client connects to the target computer at port number 6666. The server is also able to open connections back to the client and that uses port number 9999. Beast was written in 2002 and is still widely in use.
What can a hacker do with a RAT?
A hacker with a RAT can command power stations, telephone networks, nuclear facilities, or gas pipelines. RATs not only represent a corporate network security risk, but they can also enable belligerent nations to cripple an enemy country.
How to get rid of a RAT?
Sometimes, the only solution to rid your computer of a RAT is to wipe out all of your software and reinstall the operating system. RAT prevention systems are rare because the RAT software can only be identified once it is operating on your system.
Is remote access a Trojan?
There are a number of remote access systems that could have legitimate applications, but are well-known as tools that are mainly used by hackers as part of a Trojan; these are categorized as Remote Access Trojans. The details of the best-known RATs are explained below.
What is a RAT?
A Remote Access Trojan (RAT) is a type of malware that provides the attacker with full remote control over your system. When a RAT reaches your computer, it allows the hacker to easily access your local files, secure login authorization, and other sensitive information, or use that connection to download viruses you could unintentionally pass on to others.
What is a NIDS system?
This is the most efficient option for larger organizations. The intrusion detection system can be either host-based (HIDSs) or network-based (NIDSs). While HIDS is installed on a specific device and monitors log files and application data for signs of malicious activity, NIDS tracks network traffic in real-time seeking suspicious behavior. Used together, the two create a security information and event management system (SIEM), that can help block software intrusions that have slipped past firewalls, antivirus software, and other security solutions.
What percentage of Georgia's internet was affected by the Russian invasion?
Thirty-five percent of Georgia’s Internet networks suffered decreased functionality during the attacks, with the highest levels of online activity coinciding with the Russian invasion of South Ossetia on August 8, 9, and 10. Even the National Bank of Georgia had to suspend all electronic services from August 8–19.
Is Heimdal RAT good?
RATs are never good news, therefore it is of utmost importance to protect your systems against them. What you should know is that our Heimdal™ Threat Prevention solution is compatible with any antivirus product available on the market that will block threats at their root.
Can remote access Trojans wipe hard drives?
But they don’t stop here. The administrative access Remote Access Trojans provide means cybercriminals can wipe hard drives, download illegal and classified information, or even passing themselves off as somebody else on the Internet. These actions can lead to geopolitical implications.
Short bio
Remote Access Trojans are programs that provide the capability to allow covert surveillance or the ability to gain unauthorized access to a victim PC.
History
While the full history of Remote Access Trojans is unknown, these applications have been in use for a number of years to help attackers establish a foothold onto a victim PC. Well-known and long established Remote Access Trojans include the SubSeven, Back Orifice, and Poison-Ivy applications.
Common infection method
Remote Access Trojans can be installed in a number of methods or techniques, and will be similar to other malware infection vectors. Specially crafted email attachments, web-links, download packages, or .torrent files could be used as a mechanism for installation of the software.
Associated families
There are a large number of Remote Access Trojans. Some are more well-known than others. SubSeven, Back Orifice, ProRat, Turkojan, and Poison-Ivy are established programs. Others, such as CyberGate, DarkComet, Optix, Shark, and VorteX Rat have a smaller distribution and utilization.
Remediation
Remote Access Trojans are covert by nature and may utilize a randomized filename/path structure to try to prevent identification of the software.
Aftermath
Remote Access Trojans have the potential to collect vast amounts of information against users of an infected machine. If Remote Access Trojan programs are found on a system, it should be assumed that any personal information (which has been accessed on the infected machine) has been compromised.
Avoidance
As in all cases, never click email or website links from unknown locations or install software at the urging of unknown parties. Using a reputable antivirus and anti-malware solution will help to ensure Remote Access Trojans are unable to properly function, and will assist in mitigating any collection of data.
What Is a Remote-Access Trojan?
A RAT is a piece of software that gives a stranger the ability to watch anything you do on a device. That stranger can also do anything on your device you're able to do.
How do you get infected with RAT software?
No one intends to hand control to a hacker. Unfortunately, it's very easy to get infected with RAT malware.
Why do hackers use RAT malware?
Every hacker is different, and they all enter the work with different goals and objectives. But in general, people use a tool like this for a few specific purposes.
Can you defeat a RAT software attack?
Protecting your assets is critical, and your work should progress on two fronts.
What is remote access trojan?
Like most other forms of malware, Remote Access Trojans are often attached to files appearing to be legitimate, like emails or software bundles. However, what makes Remote Access Trojans particularly insidious is they can often mimic above-board remote access programs.
Can a RAT program be used to download viruses?
Once a RAT program is connected to your computer , the hacker can examine the local files, acquire login credentials and other personal information, or use the connection to download viruses you could unwittingly spread along to others.
