Which type of malware disguises itself as legitimate software?

A Trojan horse is a type of malware that disguises itself as legitimate software or is embedded within legitimate applications. It often tricks users into installing it by appearing harmless or even beneficial. Once executed, a Trojan can perform malicious activities, such as stealing data, creating backdoors, or compromising the system's security.

In contrast, other types of malware have different characteristics. For instance, a virus attaches itself to legitimate files and spreads when the infected files are executed. Worms are standalone malware that can self-replicate and spread across networks without needing to attach to a host file. Adware, while it can be intrusive and unwanted, primarily serves to display advertisements without necessarily disguising itself as legitimate software.

Overall, recognizing that Trojan horses impersonate legitimate applications is essential for understanding how they deceive users and how to protect against such threats.