What distinguishes a Trojan horse from other types of malware?

A Trojan horse is primarily distinguished by the way its malicious code is hidden within legitimate software. Unlike other types of malware that may have different forms of operation, a Trojan typically deceives users into believing it is a trustworthy application. This deceptive nature is what sets it apart; it does not self-replicate like viruses or worms, nor does it inherently have functionalities that specifically target network hardware.

The structure of a Trojan horse is designed to trick users into downloading and executing it, leading them to inadvertently allow its harmful actions, such as stealing credentials or installing other malware. This method of disguise and infiltration is fundamental to understanding how Trojans operate and differentiate them from other malware types which might directly attack or replicate without requiring the user’s trust. This focus on being concealed within legitimate software illustrates the unique nature of Trojan horses in the malware landscape.