A Remote Access Trojan (RAT) is an extremely destructive type of malware that belongs to the Trojan virus family. A RAT allows an unauthorized third party to remotely access and control a victim's computer. RATs are frequently used in cyber espionage and targeted assaults to obtain sensitive information such as trade secrets and financial data. It is frequently concealed within seemingly innocuous files or applications, or disseminated to targeted users as attachments via phishing emails.
Once the host system is infected, the attackers can gain full control of the computer, execute arbitrary commands, view and download data, install other malware, and even activate the camera and microphone. A further concern is that attackers can also disseminate the RAT to other susceptible computer systems within an organisation, thereby creating a botnet.
One of the key challenges in detecting Remote Access Trojans is that they often do not appear in active programs or task lists. They may imitate the behavior of legitimate applications, controlling resource usage levels to avoid any impact on performance, which may not be noticeable to users. Furthermore, attackers typically control resource usage and modify system files to avoid performance degradation that would attract user attention.
It is important to note that, unlike other cybersecurity threats, RAT can still cause significant harm even if they are removed. They can modify files and hard disks, alter data, and obtain users' passwords and codes through keylogging and screenshots, which can have long-term negative consequences.
One of the earliest RATs was developed in 1998 by a hacker group called Cult of the Dead Cow. Back Orifice enables an attacker to assume complete control of the system, including the ability to execute commands, manage files, and control the desktop. Additionally, it can capture keystrokes, record audio, and take screenshots.
It enables users to gain unauthorized access to a target system. This RAT is a popular choice for espionage, data theft, and remote access. Poison Ivy is highly customizable and can bypass antivirus detection, making it an ideal tool for advanced persistent threat (APT) organizations. It has the capability to capture keystrokes, record audio and video, and remotely control systems.
NetBus enables attackers to gain control of a target system's keyboard and mouse, as well as to capture screenshots, manage files, and execute commands.
A popular tool among cybercriminals and APT outfits. It can collect keystrokes, steal passwords, and take screenshots, and it is very good at avoiding detection by anti-virus software.
This RAT is commonly used and can execute a range of malicious actions such as keylogging, screenshots, file management, and remote desktop control. It can also activate the camera and microphone to observe the victim's actions.
A cross-platform RAT capable of infecting Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android computers. It offers keylogging, screenshotting, file management, and remote desktop control capabilities and is commonly used in commercial espionage operations.
Remote Access Trojans (RATs) infect computers in a variety of ways; the following are some of the most typical techniques of distributing them:
Attackers use social engineering techniques to trick users into clicking on malicious links or downloading files. These emails may appear to be from a trusted source, such as a bank or reputable company, and infect the system. These URLs or files may be shared via social media, instant messaging, or phone scams.
Attackers employ psychological manipulation to trick users into performing specified activities, such as clicking on malicious links or downloading files. These URLs or files might be disseminated through social media, instant messaging, or phone scams.
Attackers might establish fake websites with harmful downloads or install malicious adverts on legitimate websites. When a person hits on one of these websites or advertising, the RAT is instantly downloaded and installed on their machine.
Attackers can also disseminate the RAT via infected USB sticks. When users connect these disks to their PCs, the RAT is immediately installed on the system.
The RAT may be distributed over file sharing networks such as P2P networks. Attackers transmit infected files to these networks, and when users download and open them, the RAT infects their computers.
RATs can even be distributed with legal software and apps. When a user installs this program, the RAT also gets installed on their machine.
After infecting a system, the RAT runs silently in the background and does not appear in the Active Programs or Tasks lists. The RAT creates a remote link with the attacker, allowing him to issue commands and acquire system access. The following are the functions of the RAT:
An attacker can remotely control a victim's computer through the RAT, executing a variety of commands. This includes opening or closing programs, modifying system settings, and even deleting files, which allows the attacker to take full control of the computer's operations.
The RAT may capture all keystrokes made by the victim, including passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information. This feature allows attackers to readily access the victim's personal and financial information.
The RAT is designed to periodically intercept the victim's screen image, allowing user behavior to be monitored. This allows an attacker to track the victim's activity, identify websites visited, and perhaps get access to sensitive information shown on the screen.
The RAT allows an attacker to remotely activate the victim's camera and microphone for audio and video monitoring. This capability allows the attacker to track the victim's private activities and, if required, extort them.
A RAT can search for and transmit certain file kinds including documents, photographs, and databases. Malicious actors can steal sensitive information, such as private documents, trade secrets, and personal photos, and transfer it to a remote server.
As previously noted, RAT is extremely effective at escaping detection and may be unnoticed in the system for lengthy periods of time. Only some scans can reliably identify its existence. Here are some possible signals of the presence of RAT on your system:
To evade detection, RAT attempts to deactivate or interfere with antivirus software, thus if your antivirus application crashes or responds slowly, it might be a clue that your system is infected.
RAT consumes a lot of processing power when it runs in the background, so if you find that your computer's operating speed drops drastically for no apparent reason, this could be a sign of a remote Trojan infection.
Attackers may modify browser settings in order to control users' web activities, so if you find that your browser requests are constantly redirected or web pages fail to load, this may indicate that your system is infected with RAT.
RATs are often hidden in seemingly normal files, so any file or program that looks unrecognizable or has not been downloaded or installed by the user should raise your alarm.
Usually the light on your webcam will light up when you enable the camera, for example if you are in the middle of a video conference. However, if the webcam light comes on for no apparent reason, this may be an indication that the RAT is conducting audio/video surveillance.
Preventing Remote Access Trojan (RAT) invasions effectively in advance requires a multi-level security approach. The following measures are effective in reducing the risk of RAT invasion and protecting system and data security:
It is advisable to avoid visiting untrustworthy websites and opening email attachments and emails from unknown sources, particularly those purporting to be from banks or well-known companies.
It is not recommended to download and install software from unauthorized sources, as it may include harmful programs, such as RATs. In addition, keep your operating system and other applications up to date, and apply security updates on time to address known vulnerabilities. The most expedient way to do so is to allow automatic updates.
Ensure that your antivirus software can identify and prevent the most recent dangers by installing and updating it on a regular basis. Additionally, setup your firewall. To ensure immediate protection, turn on real-time protection, which responds as soon as a danger emerges.
To avoid data loss or encryption caused by ransomware, backups should be stored on secure external media or cloud storage. Additionally, use security monitoring technologies to monitor system activities in real time, allowing for the discovery and response to abnormal behavior.
Don't use the same and simple passwords and be able to change on a regular basis. Furthermore, multi-factor authentication should be enabled for key accounts to offer an extra layer of protection. This ensures that, even if passwords are hacked, multi-factor authentication can offer additional safety.
If you suspect that your system is infected with a Remote Access Trojan (RAT), immediately disconnect your computer from wireless and wired networks, which will prevent the attacker from continuing to access and control your system. Then restart your computer and enter Safe Mode. Also run a full scan with the latest version of trusted antivirus software and specialized anti-malware tools to detect and remove RAT. and manually check the files and folders on your system to delete any unknown or suspicious files, paying special attention to the Temporary folder and Download folder.
When you have done the above, the infection should have been removed. At this point you need to change the passwords of all your accounts, especially those related to finance. And update your system and software and install all security patches in a timely manner. If you have a recent system backup, try restoring it to confirm that your system is totally RAT-free. If you are unclear how to deal with the virus, or if the infection is severe, seek the assistance of a professional IT support or cybersecurity specialist.
NovaMDR offers comprehensive security solutions to help you effectively defend against Remote Access Trojans (RAT) through real-time threat detection, automated response, threat intelligence integration, and 24x7 security monitoring, ensuring the safety and security of your systems and data.