RAT: Remote Access Trojan in Cybersecurity
Like the rodent.
RAT stands for Remote Access Trojan. A Remote Access Trojan is malware that gives an attacker persistent, covert control over a victim's system. RATs provide capabilities like file access, keylogging, screen capture, webcam activation, and command execution without the user's knowledge.
How RAT Is Used in Cybersecurity
SOC analysts detect RAT activity by monitoring for unusual outbound connections, beaconing patterns, and suspicious process behavior. Incident responders analyze RAT samples to identify attacker infrastructure and determine the scope of compromise. Threat intelligence analysts track RAT families and their associated threat groups to inform defensive priorities.
Cybersecurity Roles That Work with RAT
Related Cybersecurity Acronyms
Frequently asked questions
What does RAT stand for?
RAT stands for Remote Access Trojan. A Remote Access Trojan is malware that gives an attacker persistent, covert control over a victim's system. RATs provide capabilities like file access, keylogging, screen capture, webcam activation, and command execution without the user's knowledge.
What is RAT used for in cybersecurity?
SOC analysts detect RAT activity by monitoring for unusual outbound connections, beaconing patterns, and suspicious process behavior. Incident responders analyze RAT samples to identify attacker infrastructure and determine the scope of compromise. Threat intelligence analysts track RAT families and their associated threat groups to inform defensive priorities.
Definitions are original explanations written for career development purposes. For authoritative technical definitions, refer to NIST, ISO, or the relevant standards body.