Trojanhorse

Trojanhorse is a term that can refer to multiple concepts across different contexts, primarily in history and modern technology.

Historically, the Trojan Horse originates from Greek mythology and classical literature, most notably the epic poem "The Iliad" by Homer and the story of the Trojan War. According to legend, it was a large wooden horse used by the Greeks to infiltrate the city of Troy. The Greeks concealed soldiers inside the hollow horse, which was presented as a gift to the Trojans. Believing the threat was over, the Trojans brought the horse into their city. During the night, Greek soldiers emerged from the horse and successfully attacked, leading to the fall of Troy.

In computing and cybersecurity, a Trojan horse, commonly known as a Trojan or Trojan virus, refers to a malicious software program that disguises itself as legitimate or harmless to deceive users. Once installed, Trojans can grant unauthorized access to an attacker, steal sensitive information, or cause other damages to the affected system. Unlike viruses or worms, Trojans do not replicate themselves but rely on social engineering and deception to infect systems.

The term "Trojanhorse" is also sometimes used metaphorically in various fields to describe any deceptive tactic or tool that appears benign but harbors harmful intentions.

Overall, whether in myth or modern technology, the concept of the Trojan horse emphasizes deception and the hidden threat beneath an outwardly harmless appearance.