A Remote Administration Tool (RAT, sometimes called Creepware) is a type of software that allows an administrator access to a computer system through a remote network connection. While desktop sharing and remote administration have many legal uses, the term “RAT” often connotes criminal or malicious activity.
When referring to a malicious piece of software, or malware; the acronym RAT may instead be interpretted as meaning Remote Access Trojan. A RAT is typically installed without the victim’s knowledge, often as payload of a Trojan horse, and will try to hide its operation from the victim and from security software and other anti-virus software.
Notable examples of RATs include:
- PoisonIvy
- Sub Seven
- Beast Trojan
- Bifrost
- Blackshades
- DarkComet
- Imminent Monitor 5