CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

What type of malware disguises itself as a legitimate program?

1. Worm

2. Virus

3. Trojan horse

4. Keylogger

The correct answer is: Trojan horse

A Trojan horse is a type of malware that masquerades as a legitimate program or software application. It tricks users into executing it by presenting itself as something beneficial or innocuous, such as a game, utility, or trusted application. Once activated, a Trojan horse can carry out its malicious payload, which often includes stealing data, creating backdoors for unauthorized access, or downloading additional malware. In contrast, worms and viruses work differently; worms replicate themselves to spread to other systems without needing user interaction, while viruses attach themselves to legitimate programs to propagate. Keyloggers capture keystrokes for the purpose of stealing sensitive information but do not typically disguise themselves as legitimate programs in the same way a Trojan horse does. Thus, the defining characteristic of a Trojan horse is its ability to disguise its true intent, making it the correct answer in this context.