A remote access Trojan (RAT) is malware that lets an attacker access a compromised device remotely. Depending on the RAT and how it is configured, the attacker may be able to control the device, run commands, monitor activity, or steal information. The name matters: a RAT is malicious software, not simply another name for legitimate remote desktop or support software.
What “remote access Trojan” means
A RAT combines two ideas. “Remote access” describes the ability to interact with a device over a network. “Trojan” describes malware that may appear to be legitimate or arrive disguised as something the user wants to install. Microsoft explains that Trojans can perform harmful activities after installation, including giving a malicious actor control of a device. Microsoft’s Trojan guidance names AsyncRAT as one example of a remote access Trojan; its capabilities are not a universal checklist for every RAT.
A RAT is a malware category, not a particular product or a synonym for every remote-control program. The capabilities and behavior vary by malware family and configuration.
What a RAT may let an attacker do
Depending on the specific RAT, an attacker may be able to control a device, issue commands, monitor activity, or take information from it. Microsoft’s general Trojan guidance also describes possible behaviors such as downloading additional malware, capturing keystrokes or browsing activity, and sending device information such as passwords or browsing history. These are possible Trojan behaviors—not functions that every RAT necessarily has.
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For a specific example, Microsoft’s AsyncRAT threat description covers that named malware family. One family’s details should not be assumed to describe all RATs.
How a RAT differs from legitimate remote-access software
Remote-access tools have legitimate uses, including troubleshooting, installing software, and managing systems. MITRE ATT&CK describes tools that can create sessions between hosts through a graphical interface, command line, protocol tunnel, or hardware-level KVM. The software itself may be legitimate even when a particular installation, operator, or use is malicious. MITRE tracks adversary use of these tools as Remote Access Tools, technique T1219.
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| Question | Legitimate support or administration | Potentially malicious access |
|---|---|---|
| Was access authorized? | The user or organization expects and approves the session. | The user may be deceived, or access may be obtained without authorization. |
| Who controls the session? | An identified support worker or administrator acts for a documented purpose. | An unknown or impersonated operator controls or misuses the session. |
| Is the software expected? | Installation and continued presence fit the device’s support or administration needs. | Installation, persistence, or use may be unexpected or unauthorized. |
| Does the activity fit the purpose? | Processes and network activity align with a known support task. | Activity may include suspicious connections, persistence, or commands unrelated to support. |
No single sign in this comparison proves a device is infected. Authorization, user awareness, organizational approval, and whether the activity matches a documented support need all matter.
How remote access can be obtained
Deceptive installation
A user may install a RAT after downloading a deceptive file, or another malware component may download and install it. A program’s appearance alone does not establish that it is safe.
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Deception involving legitimate support tools
Not every malicious remote session begins with a RAT. In a report published September 2, 2026, Microsoft described threat actors impersonating IT or helpdesk staff in Teams and persuading users to grant an interactive session through legitimate remote-management software. The actors then used that access to deploy a malicious package and implant. In this scenario, the remote-management software and the malicious follow-on payload are distinct; the example shows why an unsolicited support request can be dangerous even when the tool is legitimate. Microsoft’s incident report describes the case.
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For organizations
- Allow only approved remote-access software and remove or disable remote-access functions that are not needed.
- Use application controls to block unapproved tools, and filter outbound network traffic where appropriate.
- Monitor for behavior that does not fit a legitimate support task. MITRE’s detection guidance describes a suspicious chain that can include remote-control agent execution, persistence, a long-lived external connection, and interactive child processes. These are investigation signals, not proof of infection.
CISA’s Guide to Securing Remote Access Software, published June 6, 2023, addresses the malicious use of remote-access software. MITRE ATT&CK also lists disabling unnecessary remote-access functionality, application control, outbound network filtering, and network intrusion prevention among relevant mitigations.
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For individuals
- Do not grant remote access to an unsolicited caller or message claiming to be support. Contact your organization or service provider through a number or channel you already trust.
- Be cautious with downloads and files that prompt you to install software you did not expect.
- If you suspect a Trojan, Microsoft recommends using Defender Antivirus or Microsoft Safety Scanner for detection and removal. No single scanner is a guarantee that every threat will be found or removed.
- If the device belongs to an organization, follow its incident-response process rather than trying to resolve a suspected compromise on your own.
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