What is a fundamental property of a Trojan?

A fundamental property of a Trojan is that it looks like useful software but is actually malware. Trojans are designed to deceive users by masquerading as legitimate programs or applications. This deception leads users to unknowingly install or execute them, believing they are safe and beneficial. Once executed, Trojans can perform a range of malicious activities, such as stealing personal information, creating backdoors for attackers, or compromising system security.

This characteristic of impersonation is crucial because it distinguishes Trojans from other types of malware, such as viruses and worms, which typically possess different propagation methods and mechanisms. For example, viruses need a host program to spread, while worms are capable of self-replication across networks without user intervention. Understanding this property of Trojans is essential for recognizing potential threats and implementing proper security measures to avoid infection.