What is a RAT?

[SirDice]

Definitely some good points HT

From the same site that defines RAT as a Remote Administration Tool (see above), RAT as Remote Access Trojan:

The second scenario describes a condition that occurs when your pc’s security is compromised by a “backdoor” or “remote access trojan” (also rather appropriately referred to as a RAT). This particular type of trojan has been steadily gaining in popularity over the last couple of years and new backdoors are still being discovered with alarming frequency.

From: http://www3.ca.com/Solutions/Collate...?CID=37734&ID=

I'd say the bigger problem here is the definition of a Trojan... Does it have to have a server listening? If so that rules out GenControl because it enables the server itself....Does the service have to be well hidden? Because VNC and RDP are easy to discover, but so is Netbus or Sub7... the files are clearly identifiable.

I can create a Trojan that doesn't have a server listening... It just nukes your config while showing some nude pictures
I would consider ANY program, that seems to do one thing but actually does something else, a trojan.

It's really a moot point.... regardless of whether it's a Remote Access Trojan, Remote Access Tool or Remote Administration Trojan or Remote Administration Tool, they're all designed for the same purpose... Sure, some of them are used maliciously, but any of them could be used maliciously...

Good point... I could create an installer for a screensaver that silently switches on RDP and gives me full access. Now I've created a trojan using a well-known and trusted Remote Administration Tool.

[kr5kernel]

I am about halfway through Kevin Mitnick's new book, the Art of Intrusion, ironically i just finished a chapter where he spoke of RATs. He defined them as Remote Access Trojans, but he also lumped in any network tool, either malicious or legit as being under the RAT umbrella. He said, "programs like backorfice and terminal services are variations of RATs.

Now before I get flamed for this post, let me take the wind out of your sail and say that I do not believe everything out of ole' Kev's mouth is gold. I just thought it was ironic that I just read it.