What is a key characteristic of a Trojan Horse?

A key characteristic of a Trojan Horse is that it is disguised as harmless software. This means that Trojans typically appear to be legitimate applications or files, tricking users into downloading and executing them. The deceptive nature of Trojans is what differentiates them from other types of malware. Users often believe they are installing a useful program, such as a game or utility, while in reality, they are enabling malware to operate on their system.

This characteristic is critical because the success of a Trojan relies on social engineering tactics. Users are often unaware of the hidden dangers behind these programs until it's too late. The ability of Trojans to masquerade as benign applications makes them particularly insidious, as they capitalize on human trust and curiosity rather than exploiting system vulnerabilities directly. Understanding this behavior is crucial for recognizing the threat they pose and for implementing proper preventive measures, such as maintaining robust antivirus solutions and practicing safe browsing habits.