AP® Cybersecurity glossary

Remote access trojan (RAT) and rootkit

Also called: RAT, rootkit

Course: AP® Cybersecurity Shows up in: Unit 2: Securing Spaces

Malware that keeps an adversary's access to a device; a RAT gives remote control, a rootkit hides deep in the system.

Appears in the course and exam description (CED): 2.1.C.4

Why it matters in Unit 2

Both are tools of the persistence phase.

Example

A fake update that installs a RAT.

Related terms

• Persistence
• Command and control (C2)
• Malware