Back Door

Definition:

A backdoor is a covert method of bypassing normal authentication or encryption in a system to gain unauthorized access to it. Backdoors can be intentionally built by developers or placed by attackers, and can be installed in both software and hardware.

Use Cases:

• Used by attackers to maintain access to a compromised system after an initial breach.
• Sometimes introduced by malware or through vulnerabilities in software.
  
  

Related Terms:

• Malware
• Exploit
• Zero-Day Vulnerability
  
  

Questions and Answers:

• How do attackers exploit backdoors?
  Attackers use backdoors to gain persistent access to a system, allowing them to steal data, install additional malware, or manipulate system operations without detection. Backdoors are usually used to gain remote access to a system, where the attacker can then gain access to privileged information such as passwords. 
  
  
• What are the risks of backdoors in software?
  Backdoors pose significant risks as they allow unauthorized access, potentially leading to data breaches, system manipulation, or complete takeover by attackers.
  
  
• How can backdoors be prevented?
  Preventing backdoors involves regular code audits, patching vulnerabilities, and using intrusion detection systems to monitor unauthorized access attempts. Once a system has been compromised, it is difficult to regain the integrity of the system.