How to Get Rid of a Trojan

What is a Trojan?   

The word trojan is as used when describing computer threats is a class of malware that allows the access to information stored in your computer by unauthorized persons. Trojans, also known as Trojan horses, appear to be performing desirable or important functions in your computer. In reality these programs perform malicious functions that go unnoticed. Hackers can use trojans to store their files on other people’s computers, monitor the screens of other computers and even control the functions of their victim’s computers.  

These programs were named after the famous Greek gigantic wooden horse that was used in the conquering of Troy. The programs work in a similar fashion. They invade your computer disguised as software that has a useful function. They are often present in pirated software and install themselves when these are downloaded from the Internet. These programs change the settings on your system ensuring that they are also booted every time your system is booted.  

Trojans are classified according to how they invade and destroy the system. The following are the main classifications of Trojan horse payloads:  

• Downloader 
• Disable security software 
• Data destruction 
• Denial of service attack (DoS) 
• Remote Access 
• Server Trojan 

In most cases the trojans themselves are not responsible for the damage to the system they have invaded. They allow access to hackers and other attackers who steal information and carry out other malicious activities on your computer from a remote location.  

Trojans have to communicate with each other to be effective. Regular internet users are therefore the most vulnerable to attacks from these programs. Those who download files from other users should also be wary of a trojan infection. They could appear in the form of pictures, zip files and text documents which seem harmless. These documents will have executables which can install the trojan when they run on your system.  

How do you remove a Trojan?   

Since Trojans are so covert, you may be wondering how to get rid of a trojan. There are numerous types of trojans and hackers are creating more everyday. There is no specific guide on how to get rid of a trojan that can be applied to all trojans. Each trojan is unique and needs to be treated as such. There are general guidelines however, that you can apply to all trojans. The following steps are general guidelines on how to get rid of a trojan.  

1. The first step in getting rid of a trojan is to identify the trojan that has infected your hard disk. There are several methods that you can use to detect a trojan. The first is to search through the programs running on your computer at a particular moment and identify any suspect files. You can do this by going to the C:\program files\common\microsoft shared\msinfo folder. Alternatively, you can open a DOS box and type netsta-an to view the list of open connections to and from your computer and search for unfamiliar connections. Use TCPview to track down the connections to their sources.  
2. Look for how the trojan is being started. Use this information to disable the trojan so that it does not start when the computer is restarted.  

Restart the computer and remove the trojan by deleting it.