Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3) Level 1 Practice Test

A Trojan horse in the context of malware refers to malicious software that is disguised as legitimate software to deceive users into downloading and installing it. The name "Trojan horse" is derived from the ancient Greek story where the Greeks used a deceptive wooden horse to infiltrate the city of Troy. Similarly, this type of malware pretends to be a useful or normal program, which entices users to compromise their own security by running it.

Once installed, a Trojan horse can carry out various harmful actions without the user’s knowledge, such as stealing personal information, allowing unauthorized access to the computer, or installing additional malware. Users might be tricked into believing they are downloading something safe, like a game or a productivity tool, while in reality, they are opening their systems up to potential harm.

The other options do not accurately describe what a Trojan horse is. A program that protects against viruses refers to antivirus software, which is designed to detect and mitigate threats rather than impersonate them. An online gaming threat generally pertains to risks related to gaming environments, and a type of phishing scam specifically involves tricking users into providing sensitive information, which is distinct from the deceptive method used by Trojan horses.