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48 lines
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Markdown
48 lines
2.0 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: Trojan malware
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ms.reviewer:
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description: Trojans are a type of threat that can infect your device. This page tells you what they are and how to remove them.
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keywords: security, malware, protection, trojan, download, file, infection, trojans, virus, protection, cleanup, removal, antimalware, antivirus, WDSI, MMPC, Microsoft Malware Protection Center, malware types
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ms.prod: w10
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ms.mktglfcycl: secure
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ms.sitesec: library
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ms.localizationpriority: medium
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ms.author: ellevin
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author: levinec
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manager: dansimp
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audience: ITPro
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ms.collection: M365-security-compliance
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ms.topic: article
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search.appverid: met150
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---
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# Trojans
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Trojans are a common type of malware which, unlike viruses, can’t spread on their own. This means they either have to be downloaded manually or another malware needs to download and install them.
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Trojans often use the same file names as real and legitimate apps. It is easy to accidentally download a trojan thinking that it is a legitimate app.
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## How trojans work
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Trojans can come in many different varieties, but generally they do the following:
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- Download and install other malware, such as viruses or [worms](worms-malware.md).
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- Use the infected device for click fraud.
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- Record keystrokes and websites visited.
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- Send information about the infected device to a malicious hacker including passwords, login details for websites, and browsing history.
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- Give a malicious hacker control over the infected device.
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## How to protect against trojans
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Use the following free Microsoft software to detect and remove it:
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- [Windows Defender Antivirus](https://docs.microsoft.com/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-defender-antivirus/windows-defender-antivirus-in-windows-10) for Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, or [Microsoft Security Essentials](https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?id=5201) for previous versions of Windows.
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- [Microsoft Safety Scanner](safety-scanner-download.md)
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For more general tips, see [prevent malware infection](prevent-malware-infection.md).
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