TechnologyAugust 26, 2026

trojans

TROH-juhnz

Definition

Malicious software programs that disguise themselves as legitimate or useful applications to trick users into installing them, thereby allowing unauthorized access or damage to a computer system.

Etymology

Derived from the story of the Trojan Horse in Greek mythology, in which the Greeks hid inside a wooden horse to gain entry into the city of Troy. In computing, the term refers to software that hides its harmful intent behind a benign appearance.

In the news

The article warns that children may accidentally download trojans when searching for free educational materials like PDF textbooks or game files on untrustworthy websites. This highlights the importance of using official app stores to avoid these deceptive threats.

Back-to-school cybersecurity guide: A practical checklist for protecting your children’s devices

Read the full article ↗

Softonic

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